In a powerful affirmation of education's transformative role, the Koundinya Educational Trust is set to distribute significant financial aid to hundreds of deserving students from economically weaker sections. The initiative underscores a long-standing mission to use learning as the primary instrument for creating a more equitable society.
Education Championed as the Great Equalizer
Dr E V Narayana, the Founder and Chairman of the Trust, recently addressed a press conference at the SHO Conference Hall in Brodipet, Guntur. He passionately articulated that quality education remains the most potent force to bridge deep-rooted economic and social disparities. He called for a collaborative effort, urging various service organizations to partner with government bodies to accelerate the pace of inclusive social development across the nation.
"Extending quality education to underprivileged and weaker sections is not just an act of charity; it is crucial for the inclusive growth of our nation," Dr Narayana emphasized during the event held on Friday morning.
Two Decades of Steadfast Commitment to Students
The journey of the Koundinya Educational Trust is a remarkable story of vision and prudent management. Established in 2005 by Dr Narayana along with three associates, the Trust began with a humble corpus—a fixed deposit of just ₹1 lakh in a bank. The simple yet effective model involved using the interest generated from this deposit to fund scholarships for meritorious students, selected purely on merit and need, without any discrimination based on caste or religion.
Over the past 19 years, that initial seed fund has grown exponentially through careful stewardship. Today, the fixed deposit stands at an impressive ₹2.25 crore. From this growing corpus, the Trust has disbursed a total of ₹2.10 crore in scholarships to deserving poor students across both Telugu states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Major Scholarship Distribution Event on January 4
The Trust's work reaches a new milestone this weekend. On Sunday, January 4, a special scholarship distribution ceremony will be held at the Koundinya IAS Academy building in Koundinyapuram, on the outskirts of Venigandla village in Pedakakani mandal, Guntur district. The event will commence at 9:00 am.
This year, the Trust will distribute scholarships worth approximately ₹20 lakh to around 500 students. The beneficiaries represent a wide academic spectrum, from those studying in Class 10 to scholars pursuing their PhD degrees. The primary aim of the event is to recognize and encourage academic talent among underprivileged youth, providing them with the financial support needed to continue their education without hindrance.
The ceremony will be graced by Union Minister of State for Communications, Dr Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, who will attend as the chief guest. The event will also see the presence of several other dignitaries, including:
- Rajya Sabha Member Paka Venkata Satyanarayana
- State Minister for Revenue, Stamps & Registration Anagani Satya Prasad
- Ponnur MLA Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar
- Former Minister and Sattenapalli MLA Kanna Lakshminarayana
Dr Narayana reiterated the Trust's unwavering commitment to its core mission. "Our goal is to empower meritorious students from humble backgrounds," he stated. "By easing their financial burdens, we enable them to achieve their full potential and, in turn, contribute meaningfully to the progress of our society." This ongoing initiative stands as a testament to how sustained, principled philanthropy in the education sector can create lasting impact and foster true social mobility.
