Lok Nayak awards for Garikapati, Gandhi

Visakhapatnam: Noted literary figure and “Maha Sahasravadhani” Garikapati Narasimha Rao and well-known trade union leader Chalasani Gandhi will be honoured with Lok Nayak Foundation award and foundation’s Life Achievement Award respectively. Both will receive awards at a special function here on Saturday.

Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, former Rajya Sabha member and Lok Nayak Foundation Chairman Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad said that this was foundation’s 12th year and were felicitating literary and social activists. Garikapati Narasimha Rao will receive Rs 1.5 lakh cash along with the award, while Chalasani Gandhi will receive Rs 50,000 with his Life Time Achievement award.

Central Vigilance commissioner Kosaraju Veeraiah Chowdary, Supreme Court Judge Justice J Chelameswar Rao, ace comedian Brahmanandam will participate in the function. Besides, GITAM founder president MVVS Murthy, noted actor and writer Gollapudi Maruthi Rao will also attend.

Lakshmi Prasad said award would be presented on January 18 every year, the death anniversary of former chief minister and legendary actor N T Rama Rao. However, he said due to some unavoidable reasons the function was scheduled late. The previous recipients of the Lok Nayak Foundation awards include Malati Chandur, Boyi Bhimanna, Janamaddi Hanumat Sastry, Ravuri Bharadwaja, Subbanna Satavadhani, Olga, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao and Vanguri Chitten Raju.