Srinagar Garhwal. The statue of Dr. B. Gopala Reddy was formally unveiled by District Magistrate Pauri in the BGR campus of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal Central University located in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. This statue was installed in the old Collectorate premises for a long time. Students had been demanding to install this statue in the BGR campus for a long time.
During this, District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan remembered the works and contributions of B. Gopala Reddy. Addressing the students of the university, the District Magistrate said that Reddy had incomparable contribution in the field of education and social upliftment. His statue will give new energy to the students to discharge their responsibilities towards society and education.
The BGR campus of Garhwal University is named after the freedom fighter and visionary politician Dr. Bezwada Gopala Reddy. His life is a symbol of service and sacrifice. Dr. Reddy was born on 5 August 1907 in Buchireddypalam, a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. His parents, Pattabhirama Reddy and Seethamma, nurtured his childhood on a foundation of simplicity and morality. After completing his primary education in the village, he studied at the Andhra Jatiya Katashala in Machilipatnam from 1921 to 1924. After this, he pursued higher education from Visva Bharati University in Santiniketan, West Bengal, where he was inspired by the thoughts of Rabindranath Tagore.
Beginning of career as a teacher
Dr. Reddy started his career as a teacher and tried to give direction to the society through education. After this he entered journalism. His deep respect for Rabindranath Tagore led him to translate many of his famous texts into Telugu, of which the dance drama, Chitrangada, is particularly popular. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, self-reliance and service, Dr. Reddy became an active participant in the Indian freedom struggle. He participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement and endured the hardships of imprisonment in Vellore and Thanjavur jails. His activism was not limited to the individual level only, he inspired the youth and gave new heights to the freedom movement by organizing public opinion.
Joined Indian National Congress in 1931
After India became independent, Dr. Reddy played an important role in public service and governance. Joining the Indian National Congress in 1931, he soon earned a reputation for his administrative skills and dedication to public interest. His role in the establishment of Andhra Pradesh state in 1953 was historic. As Chief Minister of Andhra State from March 1955 to October 1956, he paid special attention to agricultural reforms, rural development and expansion of education. After the formation of Andhra Pradesh, he made significant contributions to the state administration as Home Minister and Finance Minister.
BGR was the Governor of Uttar Pradesh
As Minister of Information and Broadcasting during 1962-1963 in the cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru, he worked to strengthen India’s cultural heritage and strengthen public broadcasting. Due to his administrative efficiency and impartiality, he was appointed as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. During this time he worked to reduce regional disparities and promote unity in the state. Dr. Bezwada Gopala Reddy died on 9 December 1997.
Tags: Local18, Pauri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal News, Uttarakhand news
FIRST PUBLISHED : December 5, 2024, 6:02 PM IST
