Richest man in Visakhapatnam in terms of Students' education
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Yo Vizag
  • Magazine
  • News
  • People
  • Food & Drink
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • More
    • Covid-19
      • Important Helpline Numbers
      • Hospitals in Vizag
      • Donate Plasma
    • Heritage
    • Travel
    • Beauty & Wellness
    • Behind The Name – Vizag
    • Buddhist Sites In Vizag
    • Places To See In Vizag
    • Religious Places
    • Beach in
    • Vintage Vizag
    • Visakhapatnam Pincode
    • Vizianagaram Pincode List
  • Join NowTelegram Channel
No Result
View All Result
  • Magazine
  • News
  • People
  • Food & Drink
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • More
    • Covid-19
      • Important Helpline Numbers
      • Hospitals in Vizag
      • Donate Plasma
    • Heritage
    • Travel
    • Beauty & Wellness
    • Behind The Name – Vizag
    • Buddhist Sites In Vizag
    • Places To See In Vizag
    • Religious Places
    • Beach in
    • Vintage Vizag
    • Visakhapatnam Pincode
    • Vizianagaram Pincode List
  • Join NowTelegram Channel
No Result
View All Result
Yo Vizag
No Result
View All Result
Home News/City Updates

I am the richest man in Vizag because my wealth is my students!” – Soma Raju, GVP

07/10/2017
in News/City Updates, People
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
education, visakhapatnam

Soma Raju, Gayatri Vidya Parishad

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on TelegramShare on Email

In his quest to nurture students who would reach such heights, this unassuming man along with quite a few like-minded educationalists initiated a collection drive. “When we started this institute, we did not have any money. We felt we did not need money as much as we needed good teachers and students. We hired a building and started this institute with just Rs.1.2 lakhs. A mother with small children, keen on donating to our cause actually broke the ‘hundi’ she had placed near the Gods in her house and contributed an amount of Rs 32/-. In fact, most of the amounts we collected ranged from Rs 32 to Rs 1016; totalling to an amount of Rs 1.2 Lakhs.” The institute in question is the Gayatri Vidya Parishad (GVP). And the man is Prof. P. Soma Raju, M.A., Ph.D., a known and highly respected Professor of Mathematics; presently active as the Secretary of Gayatri Vidya Parishad, Visakhapatnam.

Though born in Vizianagaram (at his grandfather’s house), his initial schooling and upbringing was all in East Godavari. He came to Visakhapatnam in 1957, armed with just an SSLC certificate and joined the AVN College. Having completed his PUC here, he went to Vijaywada and pursued his graduation. “I was the first graduate in my family. My father was a village ‘karnam’ (accountant). I was not very good at academics, but was very passionate about Mathematics, therefore I joined MSc Mathematics.” After completing his education in MSc, he took up the post of a Maths lecturer in AVN College, in 1966. “I did not even have to attend any interview or anything. I was asked to teach just based on the word of my teacher!”

I want to place Visakhapatnam on the world map. It is my aim to see Vizagites dominate the world.

“I loved teaching. During my own student days, owing to my agricultural commitments I could to attend college only from September onwards which affected my academics. After listening to the hardships faced by my students, and their inability to concentrate, I began coaching them. While some paid as tuition fees, some attended free. But today I can proudly that my students are now in the IAS, IPS, teaching as professors in MIT, and some are highly respected professionals in India and the US. I am the richest man in Vizag because my wealth is my students!”

His daughter, who secured 90% in the tenth, could not get admission in the open category. “As I was a lecturer, she was admitted based on my recommendation. That’s when I realised, that there was a dearth of good colleges imparting quality education in the city, but back then as a single individual, I could not do much. Later, along with other professors, academicians, industrialists, and philanthropists, Gayatri Vidya Parishad was created. We decided to start first with a Degree College in 1986.”

Thinking out of the box is a way of life for the professor. His refrain is that “Teachers are not required to teach something from the textbook; just transferring the knowledge is an old concept. The present concept is to motivate the students to learn things; that is what true education is. More than another engineering college; I wanted to start a ‘different’ engineering college where students would be creative and not routine.” Similarly, in regards to the hospital attached to the Medical College of the GVP, he believes in sending the patient back home as soon as possible rather than encouraging them to recuperate in the wards. “I rather send the doctor to the patient’s house. This way, the patient and his whole family will not only spend less, but be much more comfortable.”

“Visakhapatnam accepted me, hence I feel I have to return something to the city” is how he simplifies his commitment to the city’s wellbeing. Even as a young lecturer, he joined the students in demanding the sanctioning of the Steel plant in Visakhapatnam, when Sri Abid Husain was the Collector. Concluding the interview, he reiterates, “I want the youth of the city to see that Vizag is placed on the world map! There are plenty of options; entrepreneurs, administrators, scientists, or even cine directors. Just follow your goal.”

Also, read…

https://www.yovizag.com/5-reasons-make-gitam-university-special/

Tags: Andhra Pradeshandhra pradesh educational institutionscolleges in andhra pradeshcolleges in vizageducationengineering collegegayatri vidya parishadgvpsoma rajuvisakhapatnamvisakhapatnam collegevizag
Share3616Tweet364SendShareSend

Related Posts

Indian Navy commissions first ever ALH MK III Squadron INAS 324 in Visakhapatnam
News/City Updates

Indian Navy commissions first ever ALH MK III Squadron INAS 324 in Visakhapatnam

05/07/2022
PM Modi in Bhimavaram: Visakhapatnam tribal research institute to play a key role
News/City Updates

PM Modi in Bhimavaram: Visakhapatnam tribal research institute to play a key role

04/07/2022
6 tonnes of plastic collected in Swatchhta Beach Clean-up in Vizag
News/City Updates

6 tonnes of plastic collected in Swatchhta Beach Clean-up in Vizag

04/07/2022
Arrangements in full swing for Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina in Visakhapatnam
News/City Updates

Arrangements in full swing for Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina in Visakhapatnam

02/07/2022
Load More

Discussion about this post

Popular Posts

  • Top 8 Malayalam movies on Amazon Prime Video you must watch

    8 brilliant Malayalam movies you must watch on Amazon Prime Video

    33720 shares
    Share 13488 Tweet 8430
  • 7 movies releasing on OTTs this week of June to keep you entertained

    21678 shares
    Share 8671 Tweet 5419
  • Bigg Boss 4 Telugu: Voting numbers of contestants nominated for elimination in fourth week

    16874 shares
    Share 6749 Tweet 4218
  • Former TTD head priest Srinivasa Deekshitulu passes away due to COVID-19

    15259 shares
    Share 6104 Tweet 3815
  • 10 Indian web series on Amazon Prime, Netflix and other OTTs that you must watch

    14427 shares
    Share 5780 Tweet 3603
Vizag

With a distinction of being the oldest lifestyle magazine in Andhra Pradesh, Yo! Vizag has been catering engaging content to its readers for the past 10 years. From covering various happenings in the city to providing entertaining content, we keep our followers hooked day in and day out. Stay tuned to Yo! Vizag to get your daily capsule of news and entertainment.

  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Recent Posts

AP High Court stays government from selling movie tickets online

AP High Court stays government from selling movie tickets online

by Team Yo! Vizag
02/07/2022
0

...

Vizag Steel Plant receives Swachhta Pakhwada Award for the year 2021

Vizag Steel Plant receives Swachhta Pakhwada Award for the year 2021

by Team Yo! Vizag
02/07/2022
0

...

Special trains announced from Visakhapatnam-Puri for Rath Yatra

Special trains announced from Visakhapatnam-Puri for Rath Yatra

by Team Yo! Vizag
02/07/2022
0

...

© 2020 DSA Media Publications - Brewed with ♥ by ideafirst

No Result
View All Result
  • Magazine
  • News
  • People
  • Food & Drink
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • More
    • Covid-19
      • Important Helpline Numbers
      • Hospitals in Vizag
      • Donate Plasma
    • Heritage
    • Travel
    • Beauty & Wellness
    • Behind The Name – Vizag
    • Buddhist Sites In Vizag
    • Places To See In Vizag
    • Religious Places
    • Beach in
    • Vintage Vizag
    • Visakhapatnam Pincode
    • Vizianagaram Pincode List
  • Join Now

© 2020 Yo Vizag - Brewed with ♥ by ideafirst.

Vizag
Posting....