Andhra Pradesh Renames Welfare Schemes Honoring Educational Pioneers

The Andhra Pradesh government has rebranded several welfare schemes previously named after YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. To honor educational stalwarts, names such as 'Jagananna Amma Vodi' and 'Jagananna Gorumudda' have been changed to 'Talliki Vandanam' and 'Dokka Seethamma Madhyahana Badi Bojanam' respectively. Minister Nara Lokesh emphasized the commitment to detaching education from political influence.

The Andhra Pradesh government has undertaken a significant rebranding of its welfare schemes, shifting the focus from political figures to educational icons. The move involves renaming six prominent initiatives that were originally named after former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

One of the key changes includes the renaming of 'Jagananna Amma Vodi', a scheme designed to provide financial aid to mothers for their children's education, which is now called 'Talliki Vandanam'. Another notable change is 'Jagananna Vidya Kanuka', an education kit distribution program, now known as 'Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidya Mitra'.

The mid-day meal scheme, 'Jagananna Gorumudda', has been updated to 'Dokka Seethamma Madhyahana Badi Bojanam', while the school renovation initiative 'Mana Badi Nadu Nedu' is now 'Mana Badi Mana Bhavishyaktu'. 'Sweccha', which distributed free sanitary napkins to girl students, is renamed 'Balika Raksha', and 'Jagananna Animutyalu', rewarding top government school students, is now 'Abdul Kalam Prathiba Puraskaram'.

In a statement on 'X', State IT, Electronics and Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh criticized the previous YSRCP government for politicizing education. He assured that the ND-led administration is committed to restoring educational institutions as genuine centers of learning.

(With inputs from agencies.)