In a powerful affirmation of education's role as a great equalizer, the Koundinya Educational Trust is set to distribute significant financial aid to hundreds of deserving students in Andhra Pradesh. The initiative underscores a long-standing mission to use learning as a primary tool to dismantle economic and social barriers.
Two Decades of Transforming Lives Through Education
The journey of the Koundinya Educational Trust is a remarkable story of sustained commitment. It was founded in 2005 by Dr E V Narayana along with three associates. The organization started with a humble seed fund—a fixed deposit of just Rs 1 lakh in a bank. The founders adopted a simple yet powerful model: using the interest generated from this corpus to fund scholarships for bright students from economically weak sections, without any discrimination based on caste or religion.
Over the past 19 years, this initial fund has seen phenomenal growth through prudent financial management. From the original Rs 1 lakh, the fixed deposit has ballooned to an impressive Rs 2.25 crore. More importantly, the Trust has effectively channeled these resources to empower the youth. To date, it has disbursed scholarships totaling a substantial Rs 2.10 crore to meritorious, needy students across both Telugu-speaking states—Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Major Scholarship Distribution Event Scheduled for January 4
The Trust's impactful work continues this week with a significant event. On Sunday, January 4, the organization will award scholarships worth approximately Rs 20 lakh to around 500 students. The ceremony is designed to recognize and encourage academic excellence among underprivileged youth and will commence at 9:00 am.
The event will be held at the Koundinya IAS Academy building in Koundinyapuram. This location is situated on the outskirts of Venigandla village in Pedakakani mandal, Guntur district. The scholarship recipients represent a wide academic spectrum, from students in Class 10 all the way to those pursuing PhD-level studies.
Dignitaries and a Unified Call for Inclusive Growth
The scholarship distribution programme will be graced by notable figures. Union Minister of State for Communications, Dr Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, will attend as the chief guest. The event will also see the presence of several other dignitaries, including:
- Rajya Sabha member Paka Venkata Satyanarayana
- Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad
- Ponnur MLA Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar
- Former minister and Sattenapalli MLA Kanna Lakshminarayana
- Members of the Koundinya Educational Trust
Speaking at a press conference held on Friday at the SHO conference hall, Dr Narayana passionately articulated the Trust's core philosophy. He stressed that extending quality education to underprivileged and weaker sections is absolutely crucial for achieving inclusive growth in society. He urged various service organizations to collaborate more closely with government bodies to accelerate the overall pace of social development.
Dr Narayana reiterated the Trust's unwavering commitment to its founding principle: empowering talented students from humble backgrounds. The goal is to enable these individuals to achieve their full potential and, in turn, contribute meaningfully to the progress of society. Trustee Dr T Seva Kumar was also present at the press meet, reinforcing the collective dedication to the cause.
This upcoming event is not just a scholarship distribution ceremony; it is a testament to a two-decade-long vision. It proves that consistent, principled action in education can create powerful ripples of change, bridging deep-seated inequalities and building a more equitable future.
