Rich Tributes to Sri Potnuru Swamy Babu garu on his 132nd Birthday. (DOB 27-12-1884 – DOD 19-01.1982) Narasannapeta-532 421, Dist. Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Patriot: In 1906, participated in ‘Vande Mataram’ revolution along with entire family.
Active role in ‘Swarajyodyamam’, Salt Satyagraha, Quit India Movement.
In 1941-42 served as President, District Board, Composite States.
Contributor: Spread of Khadi Movement for its best popularization besides personally following in true spirit.
Social Reformer: Encouraged female education, widow marriages, elimination of Untouchability.
Social Worker: Construction of houses for weaker sections, establishment of Co-operative Societies, Temples, Church, Rest House for Travelers, Library, Satya Sai Mandiram, etc.,.
Donor: Provided comfortable houses to Poets & Pandits, Constructed Orphanage, Refugee shelters, Maternity and Veterinary Hospital
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Sri Potnuru Swamy Babu garu is a reputed philanthropist, a freedom fighter and a nationalist who believed in the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, trusteeship of the rich towards community in and around.
For the benefit of common man, he initiated construction of many buildings - Hospitals like Maternity and general ward and donated valuable property, a home for orphans and managed the orphanage for three decades in association with Servants of India Society, Pune till the end of his life, He was the prime donor of Govt. Arts College, Narasannapeta for its establishment. He founded local girls High School by making substantial donation.
As a measure to promote literature, he offered renowned pundits to settle at Narasannapeta by providing substantial sustenance for their comfortable stay like shelter and landed properties and he also published several books like Ramayana, Srimadbhagavatamu, Bhakti Ranjini by Pandits like Late Sri Karri Venkata Subba Rao garu, Late Sri Vasa Suryanarayana Sastry garu, the most illustrious scholar Late Sri Bankupalli Mallayya Sastry garu who translated Vedas into regional language Telugu.
Sri Potnuru Swamy Babu garu, our great grandfather is a good administrator, social reformer, philanthropist, true gandheyawadi etc., His commitment towards social responsibility is matchless. Other contributions are - Swamy Babu peta, Vajramma peta, Gaddayya peta, Gandhi Rest House, renovation of Ramalingeswara Temple, large donations for establishment of colleges & schools at Narasannapeta, introduction of gold medal at Andhra University for best student, cottage at Varanasi and many other contributions.
Sri Swamy Babu garu was married to Smt Vajramma (popularly called as Manchamma) who is a true life partner in supporting, implementing & guiding Sri Swamy Babu garu in every phase of his life.
Sri Swamy Babu garu is a voracious reader in English and Telugu, he has got a voluminous library. His mathematical knowledge is excellent. He is a Naturopath who adopted naturopathy for all ailments. The present popular programs like Swach Bharat, Make in India, Good Governance were introduced by him long ago during his highest administrative tenure as President of Composite States and other high positions that he held during his life. Dr Rajendra Prasad, Shri V.V.Giri, Ex-Presidents of India and other personalities of fame are his admirers and guests. He had direct interaction with Mahatma Gandhi number of times. Dr Pattabhi Sitaramayya loved his capabilities in finance, insurance, administration and made him Director of Bharat Lakshmi Bank (later merged with Andhra Bank). He is great disciple of Sri Satya Sai Baba, who blessed him with silver pendant and a letter in his own hand writing with his sweet language. In appreciation of his magnificent donations to several institutions in and around Srikakulam, the government in association with INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, Dist. Collector is the Chairman & Patron of INTACH) has recognized his services to the community and installed a bust of Sri Swamy Babu on New Bridge Road, Srikakulam where several “TEJOMURTHULU’ were installed to inspire the community of the services of these stalwarts, who guided and inspired the society at large. He stood as a role model to future generations. As a token of remembrance of maternal grandparents Sri T.V.Kumara Gupta, Sri T.Babjee constituted a Public Trust known as ‘Swamy Babu & Vajramma Charitable Trust (SVCT) on 13.09.1985 in commemoration of their yeomanly service with great vision to undertake activities for the welfare of the Society. SVCT had a big role in sucessfully implementing various central and state govt. programmes besides other service activities from time to time with lots of appreciation from all quarters. At present we have five generations of his lineage having presence in India and overseas in respectable positions. He had provided bread, education, direction, recognition and many other things required in life to his progeny. Any description of him and his contributions will be limited. It will be in volumes if we mention all details. Our humble respects once again to this great person who contributed a lot to the society.