Activist Varma’s 138th Birthday Tomorrow

Hyderabad:The government will celebrate the 138th jayanti of social reformer M.V. Bhagya Reddy Varma as a state event at Ravindra Bharathi and across all districts on May 22, continuing last year’s decision to observe the occasion officially every year through GO 601 issued by the general administration department.

The programme will be held at Ravindra Bharathi from 5.30 pm, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, ministers Damodar Rajanarsimha, Jupally Krishna Rao, Ponnam Prabhakar and others. Orders for the celebrations have been issued by the SC development department on May 18 and district collectors have been informed to conduct programmes locally.

Organisers described Bhagya Reddy Varma as an early campaigner against untouchability who worked for women’s emancipation and education among depressed classes. He also founded the Jagan Mitra Mandali in 1906 and later the Adi Hindu social service league. He established 26 Telugu medium schools in Hyderabad and Secunderabad during the Nizam period.