ANANTAPUR: While many young professionals focus on career growth and income, software engineer Ashok Padapati chose to work on access to education. In 2010, during his final year of B.Tech, he started ‘Vadhanya Jana Society’ to ensure that financial constraints do not force talented students from rural areas to discontinue studies.
For the past 15 years, Vadhanya has supported more than 500 underprivileged students from rural Andhra Pradesh, helping them continue schooling, higher education and competitive exam preparation.
Ashok, from Kothacheruvu near Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district, first shared the idea with friends, asking them to contribute 0.5 per cent of their monthly salaries to a common fund.
Their trust and support became the foundation of the initiative. The organisation conducts annual talent tests in government schools across the erstwhile Anantapur district, rewarding outstanding performers with cash prizes.
It also extends financial assistance for higher education, working closely with teachers and education officials to identify deserving candidates.
Among its success stories is Jugesh Kumar from Dharmavaram, son of a handloom labourer. With Vadhanya’s support, he joined a Hyderabad college, later secured an All India Rank of 377 in JEE Main and gained admission to IIT Madras.
Another case is Mahesh from Kukatpally, whose father worked as a watchman earning less than Rs 10,000 a month. Vadhanya helped him pursue Chartered Accountancy; today he earns an annual package of about Rs 15 lakh.
Several other beneficiaries have achieved remarkable milestones. Tulasi Karthik entered IISc Bengaluru, Yashwanth Kumar Reddy joined IIT Kharagpur, and many others secured government jobs.
Ashok says these achievements are a matter of pride and proof of the mission’s impact.
Friends remain the strength behind Vadhanya. Ashok, now a corporate team leader, could have chosen a comfortable life, but instead devoted weekends to social service, beginning with providing supplies to old-age homes. Inspired by social activist Jayaprakash Narayan’s call to nurture rural talent, he realised that while many worked to address hunger, fewer focused on education.
“I felt no talented student should miss education because of financial problems. I shared this idea with my friends and requested them to contribute 0.5 per cent of their salaries. They trusted me and supported the initiative without hesitation,” he recalls.
Recognising his services, the Andhra Pradesh government invited Ashok to a Republic Day tea party at Lok Bhavan. Actor Nandamuri Balakrishna also appreciated Vadhanya’s efforts on his show Unstoppable, presenting a cheque of Rs 1 lakh. Beyond scholarships, Vadhanya prepares youth for competitive exams by providing books, coaching and hostel facilities.
Beneficiaries include Mahesh Nayak, now Assistant Horticulture Officer in Hindupur; Boya Nanjamma, selected as a police constable; Raghavendra, pursuing MBBS at Kurnool Medical College; and Ramavath Rajanayak, who secured four government jobs including Railways and Air Force.
Ashok recalls a memorable moment when a government teacher, impressed by Vadhanya’s work, handed him a cheque of Rs 15,000 and encouraged him. “That moment when he patted my shoulder is something I can never forget,” he says.
His dream is to make Anantapur, known for droughts and hardships, a hub of education. Born to coconut trader P Venkatramudu and homemaker Ramadevi, Ashok says his family has always encouraged his service activities.
He feels proud that many beneficiaries, after building successful careers, are now supporting others. “For every student whose dream comes true, we feel our purpose is fulfilled,” he says.