Gudupally sarwabhowma

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu on Wednesday said the State government is seriously considering introducing a free breakfast scheme for students studying in government schools, subject to favourable financial conditions. He was speaking as the chief guest at the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Mogiligidda Zilla Parishad High School in Farooqnagar mandal.

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief Minister said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the entire Cabinet are deliberating on the proposal to provide free breakfast to government school students. He informed that the scheme has already been launched on a pilot basis in Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s constituency. He said the government’s intention is strong and assured that once resources are mobilised and financial conditions permit, the free breakfast scheme will be implemented across government schools. The move, he said, is driven by concern that children in their growing years are unable to develop fully due to lack of proper nutrition.

Bhatti Vikramarka emphasised that only a common school system can help society grow like a united family. He said such a system fosters a sense of togetherness from childhood, breaking barriers of caste, religion, and economic status. With this vision, the government is constructing Young India Integrated Residential Schools to promote equality and inclusive thinking in society.

He said that for the first time in the country, schools are being constructed on a large scale with each school spread across 25 acres and a budget of ₹200 crore. Across Telangana, construction of such schools has been taken up simultaneously in 100 constituencies with a total outlay of ₹20,000 crore.

Stating that Telangana must develop strong human resources to compete globally, the Deputy Chief Minister said investment in human capital is key to strengthening the State’s economy. He said the people’s government is focusing primarily on providing free education and healthcare. As part of this vision, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy visited the Mogiligidda school in January last year upon the request of the school management and sanctioned ₹10 crore, with development works now progressing rapidly.

Bhatti Vikramarka said previous governments neglected Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), but the present government is revamping them to meet modern industry needs. He said updated curricula have been designed by bringing in industrial experts and modern machinery, and ITIs across all constituencies are being transformed into advanced technology centres to enhance employment opportunities.

He said that within 15 days of coming to power, the government reviewed reports from officials and increased diet and cosmetic charges in welfare institutions. He added that modern hospitals are being constructed around Hyderabad and government hospitals in district headquarters have been upgraded.

The Deputy Chief Minister said quality sarees are being distributed door-to-door to women across the State as a mark of respect, treating them as ‘Mahalakshmis’. He said interest-free loans are being provided to empower women as entrepreneurs. Though many doubted the feasibility of providing ₹20,000 crore in interest-free loans in the first year, the government exceeded expectations by distributing cheques worth ₹26,000 crore to women self-help groups, proving its commitment.

Recalling the contributions of former Chief Minister Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, Bhatti Vikramarka said he was a pioneer of land reforms in the country. He said the Mogiligidda government school has produced many distinguished personalities who served the nation and society, including Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, Marri Chenna Reddy, former Uttar Pradesh Governor Satyanarayana Reddy, and noted academic Professor Haragopal.

He described Burgula Ramakrishna Rao as a great leader who led library movements and played a key role in the anti-Nizam struggle during a period when feudal beliefs and the Telangana armed struggle coexisted. He said Burgula, who began his career as a lawyer, entered politics to serve the people and introduced landmark reforms as Hyderabad State’s Chief Minister between 1950 and 1954. These included tenancy laws granting land rights to cultivators, abolition of the jagirdari system and bonded labour, and laying the foundation for land reforms later adopted nationally in 1970. He said Burgula resolved serious issues like the armed struggle through democratic means.

Highlighting the rich legacy of the Mogiligidda school, Bhatti Vikramarka said the institution has a 150-year history and functioned in Urdu medium until 1952, after which Telugu medium was introduced. He recalled that in 2008, late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy insisted on introducing English medium education in government schools across the erstwhile united State. He said during discussions in the Legislative Council on the issue, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, then Chief Minister, asked him—then an MLC—to speak on the importance of English medium education.

The Deputy Chief Minister said parents work as daily wage labourers and send their children to school with the hope of securing jobs and livelihoods. However, without English proficiency, many students fail to find employment and are forced back into labour. He said globalisation has made English essential, turning the world into a global village, and learning English is crucial for securing a future.

The programme was attended by BC Welfare and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Shadnagar MLA Veerlapalli Shankar, Professor Haragopal, Education Department Joint Director Somireddy, Additional District Collector Chandra Reddy, village sarpanch Krishnayya, Amma Adarsha School Committee chairperson Bandari Santosha, District Education Officer Susindhar Rao, and other officials and public representatives.