Hyderabad: 26th Yudhvir Foundation Award function was held at Telangana at LN Prasad Hall of Telangana Chamber of Commerce and Industries Auditorium Red Hills. Mr. Narender Luther, IAS (Rtd.) former Chief Secretary of A.P. and Chairman of the foundation presided over the function. Dr. Soma Raju attended the function as special chief guest. Mr. Zahid Ali Khan, Editor of Siasat Urdu Daily, Dr. Bajrang Lal Gupta, Dr. Murlidhar Gupta, the trustees of the foundation were on the dais.
The Chief Guest of the function, Dr. Soma Raju, presented Yudhvir memorial award to Dr. G. Nageshwar Rao. Delivering the presidential address, Mr. Narender Luther told that Yudhvir Foundation was established 26 years back. He further told that Mr. Yudhvir was not only a freedom fighter but also played a key role during the partition of India on the border of the two countries. He further informed that the first award was given to noted journalist, Kalidas Kashikar in 1992. In 1993, Mr. Abid Ali Khan, the founder Editor of Siasat Urdu Daily was given the second award. In 1995, the award was given to Dr. Manmohan Singh, former PM of India. In 2006, Dr. Raj Bahadur Gaur received this award whereas in 2009 Shyam Benegal received it. In 2014, Ms. Suraya Hasan was given this award.
The award carries Re. 1 lakh. Highlighting the services of Dr. G. Nageshwar Rao, Mr. Narender Luther told that these days, the establishment of the hospital or a school is the easiest way of earning money. During such a situation, we find persons like Dr. Nageshwar Rao who abandoned his lucrative career in America when it was at its peak.
Dr. Nageshwar Rao founded LV Prasad Eye Hospital in 1987. Its motive was not to earn money but to offer service to the poor who have been deprived of eyesight.
Mr. Narender Luther also informed that on the recommendation of Mr. Zahid Ali Khan, Editor of Siasat Urdu Daily, this hospital provided free treatment to the 20 affected children in the pellet gun fires of the army in Kashmir. In addition to it, its 140 units are functioning in rural and tribal areas of A.P. and Telangana where free treatment is offered to the poor. It came to be known very recently that LV Prasad Eye institute is the only hospital in the world which conducted corneal transplant operations of more than 2 crore patients. This institute has also been awarded prize by WHO. He further told that 16 years back, Dr. Soma Raju was one of the awardees of this prize. Today, he is awarding this prize to Dr. G. Nageshwar Rao as the Chief Guest. Mr. Murlidhar Gupta proposed vote of thanks. Noted Singer, Mr. Khan Athar rendered national anthem.
–Siasat News