Velchala Kondal Rao's services to education and literature lauded

Karimnagar: Noted scholar and multi-faceted veteran Velchala Kondala Rao has been felicitated on the occasion of his birthday celebration at Satavahana University campus in the town on Sunday. Satavahana University Vice-Chancellor K Veera Reddy presided over the function. Several writers, academicians, professors, students, officials and well-wishers of Mr Rao participated in the felicitation programme.

The personalities, who participated in the programme, garlanded Mr Kondala Rao and a cake was cut to mark the celebration. The speakers lauded his services for the development of education in the district. ``A post-graduate centre, which was started in Karimnagar some years ago, has grown up into a university due to strenuous efforts of Mr Kondal Rao,’’ the speakers applauded.

Replying to felicitation, Mr Kondal Rao expressed his happiness with the organizers for organising a function for his felicitation. Several of his students are holding the posts of vice-chancellors for various universities and other key posts, he said. ``The intention to respect elders and remembering their services is a good move for the teachers and students. Such programmes would help for the development of an institution,’’ he said.

``Veteran poet Viswanatha Satyanarayana had worked as principal of Government Degree College in Karimnagar. He wrote the popular classical work “Moyu Thummeda” when he was working in the college. The town has an outstanding history as a hub of literary expansion for the past several decades,’’ Dr Velchala said.

Satavahana University Vice-Chancellor K Veera Reddy thanked Mr Kondal Rao for accepting the felicitation. He said that he, along with several others, was a disciple of Mr Rao and is now fortunate to hold the post of the head of the university. Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) chairman Jayaprakash Rao, film director B Narsing Rao, Telangana University Vice-Chancellor Akbar Alikhan, CBI former director Dr Vijayaramana Rao, Satavahana University Registrar Bhadraiah noted freedom fighter Boinpalli Venkatrama Rao and several other personalities from the district participated in the felicitation programme.