Hyderabad: Rich tributes were paid to J. Eashwari Bai, who is generally acknowledged as the first woman to raise a voice for Telangana, during the annual award ceremony instituted in her memory at Ravindra Bharati on Monday.
Union minister of state for home G. Kishan Reddy, said the pioneering work done for the downtrodden by Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Eashwari Bai had resulted in their enjoying equal rights. He said that keeping aside differences and political agendas, people should strive to work for a better society.
Her daughter and Congress leader Dr J. Geetha Reddy is chairperson of Eashwari Bai Memorial Trust, which organised the event in collaboration with the state department of language and culture.
Excise minister V. Srinivas Goud said Eashwari Bai’s life was an answer to those who mocked at people who spoke of a separate state. She envisioned a society where the downtrodden are accepted in society.
The ministers presented Eashwari Bai memorial awards to B. Vijaya Bharathi Tarakam, writer and former director of Telugu Academy, Kondaveeti Sathyavathi, Editor Bhoomika magazine, Dr Manisha Bangaru, social activist K. Bharathi, Telangana Body and Organ Donors Association.
