Report on 5th Ambedkar Scholarships function on April 27, 2008 in Hyderabad

Reported  by Devdas Adidela, Coordinator, Hyderabad, India

The Ambedkar Scholarships 5th annual distribution function has started at 4.10 PM, just ten minute later than the scheduled time.

·        Prof Sujata Surepally welcomed the guests and other distinguished dignitaries - Mr Kaki Madhanva Rao IAS Rtd.- the chief guest of the function, Sri A.Bharat Bhushan, IRTS -President of the function, Sri.N.RamaKrishna ITS, Sri Vidya Bhusan Rawat, from UP, Dr P.J.Sudhakar, IIS, Director (News) Doordarshan, Mr Michael Thevar, US, and Mr Manthena Rayadas,US along with Mr A.Devadas, and Mr P.Vijaya Vardhan Rao, coordinators in India.

·        Dr.Ravi from Osmania University presented a beautiful song on Babasaheb which ignited the fire of the function.

·        Function started with the opening remarks of Mr Bharat Bhushan on the communication with Mr Benjamin Paul, the Founder of the Ambedkar Scholarships and complemented the noble job he is doing along with the like-minded donors. He was very skeptical about the civil services officers and their attitude towards the community. He emphasized not the forget the roots from where they have come and assured his best to do more and more for this kind of programs.

·        The song by Rev P.Sunder was really inspiring. The song is about the need of helping ones neighbor and how Mr Benjamin is striving to do that.

·        Mr Devdas, one of the coordinators has given his report on the project and ambitious plans for the future. He thanked all the donors for their kind support asking them to do so in future as well.

·        Mr Manthena Rayadas while delivering his speech, told that Mr Benjamin never used the SC reservation but he is struggling to uplift his fellow community so that no one should stop his/her education as the education is only key to success.

He also apprised the “ FRIENDS FOR EDUCATION” an NGO started in US and its goals and objectives which was received by the audience with great applause.

Roy requested that at least two Benjamins should come out from this gathering so that they can be of great help to the community.

·        Rev P.Sunder has submitted his report on “MICRO-FINANCE” and its activities. He also thanked Mr Anandswaroop of Australia for his generous donation and his personal on the spot assessment of the needy along with Mr Benjamin Paul.

·        Baby Sravani and Ms Harika read Mr Benjamin Paul’s message sent to the scolars

·        Baby read out the message of Ms Kate Llewellyn, US- a colleague of Benjamin Paul and one of the donors.

·        Dr P.J.Sudhkar who acquired 76 degrees was the first speaker to take the students and the audience to the new world with his powerful speech mixed with songs. His message to the students was that Dalits are second to none, any thing can be achieved, and they should be prepared to compete with any others in India. He emphasized the importance of education.

“People can not create history if they forget their history. To create history one should remember his roots and history. Help others and live for others. Have dreams and aim high. Education gives economic development, economic development gives freedom, freedom gives political development. Respect your parents and society.

For small failures, do not get discouraged, failures are stepping-stones, do not fear, try and try till you succeed. Avoid the following: proudness, anxiety, 3Ws (wine, women and wealth). Build character, do not loose confidence and show courage.” was his electrifying message. His message received by the audience with apt attention.

Mr Bharat Bhushan recommended a full day seminar with Dr PJ Sudhakar.

·        Special folk song by Dr Ravi on village life

·        Mr N Ramakrishna emphasized on education and plan for success and achievement. Addressing scholars he said, “You are the best pilot of your own life, so plan, execute and succeed.”

·        Rev Sundar sand another song written by him on the poverty and how to overcome it.

·        Mr Michael Thevar, an entrepreneur from US was thrilled to be as part of the function. He explained how his company is helping the downtrodden people in US and striving to uplift the Dalits by giving jobs in US. He advised the students to opt for law, math, and English to be in the limelight of the society.

·        Mr Vidya Bhushan Rawat, a social activist from UP, in his special speech, requested the media to give good messages to educate the youth. He also stressed that the scavenging community should delink from the traditional occupation and to embrace the education for their upliftment. He advised the scholars to become an Ambedkarite, not Gandhi’s Harijan.

·        Mr Kaki Madhava Rao, IAS(Rtd), ex chief secratery of Andhra Pradesh and the Chief Guest of the function, while delivering his keynote address said, “Every scholar in this function should study well and one day should sit on the dais instead of sitting in audience.”

He explained his childhood experiences and wished no one should experience the same. He advised them to study well.  He lauded the efforts of Mr Benjamin Paul and his team for focusing on the education, which is the key to success. He asked the scholars to follow the footsteps of Dr Ambedkar. He also remembered the works of Mr Shankaran, IAS, his boos in his IAS days. He said that though Mr Shankaran belongs to a non-Dalit community, his commitment to the Dalits and their upliftment inspired him to do the community development.

After these electrifying speeches, 90 scholarships were received by the scholars personally. Other scholarships will be sent to the absentees, as they could not attend the function.

Now, it is the time for the students and parents to respond:

Several students and parents came forward for the first time to speak on the stage. Everyone promised that they will do well in education and strive to live upto the expectations of the donors of Ambedkar Scholarships. They expressed that they have received very good message about the education and its importance in life.

Unfortunately, as due to shortage of time, we could not give opportunity to many scholars who expressed their desire to speak.

With the vote of thanks from Mr P. Vijaya Vardhana Rao the curtain of 2007 function was down with a national anthem

Snacks and soft drink was served to all the attendees.

Devdas Adidela

(Coordinator, Ambedkar Scholarships, Hyderabad, India)