Hyderabad: Renowned gastroenterologist Dr Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy from Telangana was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour of the nation on Saturday, eve of Republic Day.Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) founder Manda Krishna Madiga was awarded the Padma Shri for public affairs.Dr Nageshwar Reddy, founder and chairman of the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) in Hyderabad, is a world-renowned expert in gastrointestinal medicine. Under his leadership, AIG has grown into the largest gastroenterology hospital globally. Dr Reddy had had been honoured with the Padma Shri in 2002 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. A graduate of Kurnool Medical College, Dr Reddy’s clinical and research contributions, especially in gastrointestinal endoscopy, have earned him numerous accolades, including the B.C. Roy Award in 1995. Expressing gratitude for the Padma Vibhushan, Dr. Reddy stated: “I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this recognition. It is not just a personal milestone but a celebration of Indian medicine’s spirit and potential.”“This award belongs to my patients, the dedicated team at AIG, and the countless healthcare workers who inspire me every day. Compassionate patient care remains the cornerstone of my journey, and I dedicate this honor to those who trust us during their most vulnerable moments. I remain committed to contributing to India’s healthcare innovation and excellence.”Manda Krishna Madiga, a noted Dalit activist, has been a tireless advocate for the rights of the marginalised Madiga community. As the founder of MRPS, he spearheaded the movement for sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits. The MRPS movement gained national attention following the Supreme Court’s landmark verdict in August 2024, which upheld the division of SCs and STs into sub-groups for reservation purposes. Despite the ruling, implementation in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh remains pending. Born in 1965 in Warangal, Telangana, Manda Krishna faced socio-economic hardships typical of the Madiga community but used education as a means to fuel his activism. Over three decades, his grassroots movement challenged state governments and mobilised massive public support for SC sub-categorisation. Krishna Madiga dedicated the honour to the activists of MRPS who sacrificed their lives in the struggle. “Despite conspiracies and opposition, we achieved a historic Supreme Court verdict. However, our fight is not over.”“We demand the immediate implementation of SC sub-categorisation as per the court’s orders. On February 7, we will organize a massive public meeting to reiterate our demands and uphold the rights of the Madiga community.”Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy congratulated Dr Nageshwar Reddy and Manda Krishna Madiga and expressed pride in their achievements, which had brought glory to the state.”These awards are a recognition of their relentless hard work and dedication. Their contributions serve as an inspiration to countless others and highlight the exceptional talent and commitment present in our region,” he said.
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