| Late Shri VINUKONDA NAGARAJU | ||
 |
An eminent Journalist, renowned Novelist, prolific Writer, successful Industrialist, a distinguished Leader in public life, the Champion of social justice, an Educationalist, Intellectual… Late Shri Vinukonda Nagaraju personified the virtues of an Idol. As the Editor, Publisher and Proprietor of the legendary “Kammendo” magazine, the essays, articles and reviews penned by him on the socio-political issues for more than three and a half decades had sensitized the cross section of readers in Andhra Pradesh, and influenced their participative role in an egalitarian society. And…the youth, for a few generations, followed his writings and subscribed to rationality in their thoughts and practice. His writings, so as his character, truly carry the magnificence! Born in the year 1940 in the rural backdrop of West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Vinukonda Nagaraju was the first student from surrounding villages to have achieved the post graduate qualification. He was the Gold Medalist in M.A. English Literature from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. He was equally proficient in the regional language Telugu, and took to writing Novels from his early student days. He authored totally 8 novels and got the prestigious SAHITYA ACADEMY AWARD for his Novel "Voobilo Dunna" in 1974. While he was a student, he wrote "Desam Nannu Pilichindi" (Country beckoned me), a novel on National Integration with the spirit of Patriotism, at the time of Chinese Aggression in 1962, and received special commendation from the Government of Andhra Pradesh. |
|
| Soon after studies, he migrated to Hyderabad and worked as a lecturer for a brief period. He had also worked in the Intelligence Wing of the State Home Department, subsequently resigned and settled down as the Publisher and Editor of the Socio-Political fortnightly magazine “Kammendo” established in 1972. Significant was the period when Emergency was imposed and “Kammendo” stood for democratic values. Shri Vinukonda Nagaraju supported the movement of Pujya Jai Prakash Narayan and was at the helm of the affairs holding the post of the President of Yuva Janata Party for Andhra Pradesh Wing. His dynamism and undaunted spirit as a young leader took him close to the political leadership. Shri Vinukonda Nagaraju maintained intimate political relationships with leaders like late Ex. Rastrapathi Neelam Sanjeeva Reddi, Chief ministers like Dr. Marri Channa Reddy, Jalagam Vengalarao and Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy. However, he shunned political career for his passion to Journalism. | ||
 |
||
| Highlighting the importance of evolving code of conduct and ethics in public life, he established "Kammendo Forum" under the aegis of Kammendo, in 1976, to award the "Outstanding Journalist" with the "Gold Pen" Award, which consists of Rs. 25,000/- cash prize and a Gold Souvenir. The Forum took the task of awarding an eminent person, who has upheld the values in Public life, with 'Excellence in Public Life Award'. | ||
| On a different facet, Shri Vinukonda Nagaraju had established a Cement unit in 1994 in the backward region of Mahaboobnagar District, where near about 100 families from the nearby villages got supported with employment and means of living. The Cement unit by name “Lavanya Cements Pvt. Ltd.” is a successful industry having ISI brand and ever growing demand in the market. | ||
 |
||
| He had also set up the NGO by name “Social Justice” in the year 2000, in order to extend helping arm to the downtrodden and neglected people in the society, cutting across the class, community or colour. Apart from organizing the Health Camps, Sanitation activities etc., the improvement of literacy levels, financial aid to pursue education were also promoted with a vision to uplift their standards of life. | ||
| He was the guiding force for the establishment of the firm “Medico Abroad” in the year 2002 with the motto “A Doctor in every middle class family!”. Continuing his philosophy, the firm scaled to the No.1 position in India for quality services and achieved the privileged ISO 9001:2008 Certification. | ||
| In the year 2004, Delhi Telugu Academy awarded him for his outstanding contribution for the cause of national solidarity in the field of Journalism. In the same year, All India National Unity Conference (New Delhi) conferred Prestigious "Rashtriya Ekta Award" to him as an eminent person in the walk of public life. | ||