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Vaaradhi celebrates young achievers
In Short
Vaaradhi India Foundation celebrates its 2026 Annual Lecture in Hyderabad, recognizing government school student achievements across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana through educational empowerment.
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Vaaradhi celebrates young achievers
Hyderabad: The Vaaradhi India Foundation held its Annual Lecture and Prize Distribution Ceremony 2026 on Saturday, celebrating another year of learning, participation and achievement by students from Government schools across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The 2026 Annual Lecture featured Uday Krishna Peddireddi, environmentalist and Founding Trustee of VATA Foundation, who spoke on “Be the Change You Want to See,” and Sumanth, actor and protagonist of Anaganaga, who spoke on “The Joy of Learning.” Their journeys, in very different fields, reflected a common Vaaradhi theme—the power of learning and individuals' ability to create positive change.
The winning teams in the Essay Writing competition: the first prize went to ZPHS, Rajampalem in Andhra Pradesh and ZPHS, Rajole in Telangana. Similarly, the first prizes in debate went to PMSHRI ZPHS PLUS, APSP Quarters in Andhra Pradesh and ZPHS Nehru Nagar in Telangana. The second and third prizes in debate also went to S, and the second prize in Debate went to PMSHRI ZPHS Plus, APSP Quarters in Andhra Pradesh, and ZPHS Nehru Nagar in Telangana. Multiple ZPHS, AP Model, and TG Residential Schools also shared the second and third prizes in debate competitions.
Prize structure: First Prize – Rs 33,000 per team (or equivalent in kind); Second Prize – Rs 30,000 per team; Third Prize – Rs 27,000 per team.
Founded in 2013 by Dr Mohan Kanda, formerly Chief Secretary of the combined Andhra Pradesh, Vaaradhi — meaning ‘a bridge’ — was established as a platform for development initiatives. At its heart is the philosophy of “Empowering through Education” — enabling young people to make a positive difference to themselves, their communities and the nation. Vaaradhi sees this as a nation-building effort, recognising teachers as among the most important influences in mentoring and shaping the future generation.
As part of this, Vaaradhi has been working with, rather than creating parallel systems to, the existing public education system. Its approach is to strengthen and support Government systems, institutions and teachers so that they can function more effectively and efficiently and reach more children with greater impact.
The Foundation offers Spoken English and Coding classes for students and teachers through joyful learning. Its Let’s Teach in English programme helps teachers improve classroom confidence and pedagogy.
