Dr B Surendra Reddy
Kolkata: The 33th Vivekananda Sewa Samman-2019 will be presented to noted social activist of Telangana Dr B. Surendra Reddy on February 16. Presented by Shree Burrabazaar Kumarsabha Pustakalaya, the Puraskar will be presented by Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshilal. The Puraskar consists of a citation, memento and a cheque of Rs one lakh.
Born on July 3, 1938 in Warangal district of Telangana, Dr B Surendra Reddy did MBBS from Hyderabad in 1963. He became a Sangh swayamsevak in 1950 and was a Pracharak from 1964 to 1973. In 1973, he returned to his ancestral village to start a clinic for his villagers. After his marriage in 1976, he also started work for eradication of untouchability. To begin with he first appointed his assistance at the clinic from a SC family. Then he renovated a 100 year old temple and ensured entry of all people in the temple. In 1982, he started Saraswati Shishu Mandir in the village and also built a hospital. He also started Prabhat Pheris, Vijayadashami celebration and also Bathukamma festival on grand scale. All these activities strengthened harmony in the village to the extent that the village is today untouchabiltiy-free.
However, this journey has not been easy. The Naxalites bombed his Sewa Kendra in 1999. Later, his clinic at the ancestral village was also targeted in 2000. Meanwhile, he had to shift to Hyderabad where he joined the Sewa Bharati work. He is also a member of the national committee of the Arogya Bharati.
