Chittoor-based social worker looks beyond distributing uniforms & books, wants children to imbibe patriotism

On Monday, the eve of the 70th anniversary of Independence, Parvathareddi Parthasaradhi Naidu, a Chittoor-based social worker, adopted 70 children of the local municipal elementary school and anganwadi centre of Balaji Nagar.

Mr. Naidu, 76, a household name in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, has been extending for four decades financial and moral support to hundreds of families afflicted by poverty and life-threatening ailments.

Celebrating the occasion with the children, Mr. Naidu said that by adopting the schoolchildren, mostly belonging to urban poor households, he didn’t merely mean distribution of uniforms, books, stationery and food.

Vibrant builders

“At this age, I look at them as vibrant builders of the country’s destiny. Apart from their regular welfare, I wish to see the young minds learn the true meaning of Independence Day celebrations, and imbibe the spirit of love for the country,” he said.

The veteran social worker said that in the last decade, he had been pursuing the dream of bringing schoolchildren to libraries.

He wanted them to devote time to learning about the lives of great leaders who brought freedom to the country.

“This will make our children the strongest citizens,” he said.

Moral lessons

Mr. Naidu said he would arrange regular moral lessons for the children and make them participate in cultural activities and physical training.

The school authorities and parents were all praise for Mr. Naidu’s gesture towards the children.