There is a number of successful individuals who have gone back to their communities to make them better. They are motivating examples that demonstrate how those kinds of people can create a difference in the society. One such story is about Phani Raja Kumar, an NRI and his JNTU, Hyderabad alumni who initiated Haritha Foundation through an NGO to solve issues related to education and health among children from rural Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
I established this non-governmental organization due to my personal experiences and observations in society particularly in Puttaparthi,” said Phani. “In May 2002, I visited Satya Sai Baba ashram where I saw the educational programs run by the institution together with its healthcare system provided for free. Additionally, there were water projects that were well-suited for local communities. The effect these experiences had on me was undeniable,” says Phani recalls who organized his first charitable initiative as educational and health camps in Yeddumailaram village and an eye camp at Kandi Village near Sangareddy in 2002. “These camps positively affected hundreds of students and villagers; it was inspiring seeing how happy they were, how committed our volunteers were including us as organizers,” adds Phani.
This took significant support from his JNTUH alumni. He has enlisted support from his fellow graduates towards helping underprivileged children successfully leveraging on his alum network. This has been facilitated by the reunification of alums which according to Phani occurred because of their alma mater. He did his MTech and PhD degrees here appreciating the wealth of knowledge they gained in engineering and research from their classmates, teachers, colleagues.
The efforts have also seen great participation of these JNTUH alums who gladly went into partnership with Phani to serve their alma mater as well as a larger community around it. “Not long ago we organised a tree plantation program at schools around Patancheru, which was a very rewarding experience. We have had many professors from JNTUH who have been friends and volunteers during our programmes,” he adds.
Additionally, the alums have sponsored a 3D printing lab at JNTU Hyderabad to benefit research students across its affiliates. This initiative highlights their collective commitment to provide support and give back to the future generation of students in JNTUH.
A sense of responsibility
Phani has a personal commitment towards the development of rural areas. Being born in Vijayawada and nearby villages as a son of a school teacher, he was aware of educational barriers and challenges faced by children in these regions. This experiential knowledge has made it his obligation to contributively assist these societies.
Again, Phani’s commitment comes in part from a belief in social justice and equity. “The principle is to me that each child no matter their location or economic status should be guaranteed a quality education and the opportunity to succeed. That is why I have been focusing on how to improve education for rural children so as to equip them with the tools and opportunities they need to overcome these barriers and realize their dreams.”
Panoramic View
Haritha Foundation provides essential supplies such as stationery to all children and sports equipment to schools. Also, they donate clothing where it is most needed. Health screening camps are regularly organized for student’s welfare. With an eye on personal development, personality development courses are held periodically with resource persons drawn from urban areas.“Also we facilitate educational excursions like science knowledge tours moving kids from their villages towards main cities.For instance, we make our students visit Birla Science Museum and Planetarium of Hyderabad or Science Museum of Tirupathi which are at state RTC buses,” he adds.
Foundation organizes MyVoice’ elocution competition among students aimed at improving communication skills from class level up to mandal level with cash incentives plus motivational speaking sessions as well as books for further motivation. Environmental awareness is made through special sessions, cleaning initiatives, safety classes, tree planting programs conducted at all school levels.
At times funding becomes difficult for such activities and setting aside some money can be helpful too. Also his earnings have been utilized by Phani into charity activities while other friends who share similar visions support him financially.“Towards expressing their gratitude for their roots and country I urge my friends to invest in village development works.This has proved successful in several developmental activities that have been initiated.We think collective efforts bring about positive change and sustainable progress.”
