Vidya hailed for her zeal to empower women

Vijayawada: Former MP and founder of Vasavya Mahila Mandali Chennupati Vidya was felicitated at a function held here on Thursday on getting the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for 2014.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Speaker of Assembly Mandali Buddha Prasad lauded the dedication and commitment of Vidya for empowering women. “It is the third Jamnalal Bajaj Award for her family, which reflects their commitment to the well-being of society,” he said. Later, he felicitated Vidya. A memento was presented to her amidst cheers and claps from children, women and volunteers of the Mahila Mandali who came in large numbers to witness her felicitation.

Responding to the felicitation, Vidya said that she would deposit the Rs 10 lakh she got along with the Jamnalal Bajaj Award in a bank and utilise the interest accrued on it for the welfare of women and children. She recounted her association with Buddha Prasad’s father Mandali Krishna Rao, who strove for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden as a minister. Vidya thanked all the people who extended their support to her in implementing various social welfare programmes through Mahila Mandali. Minister for Irrigation Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, MLA Gadde Ramamohan, former station director of All India Radio Krishna Kumari, Mahila Mandali secretary Rashmi, Lavanam, Ravi Sarada, doctors G Samaram, Vijayam, Niyantha, Nau, Keerthi and others were present.