GITAM receives donation of INR 4.5 Cr; dedicates GSHS building to former Chancellor

The building housing GSHS was renamed ‘Koneru Ramakrishna Rao Bhavan’ in recognition of his contributions and the generous donation of about INR 4.5 crores to GITAM.

GITAM School of Humanities and Social Sciences (GSHS) building has been renamed as the Koneru Ram Krishna Rao building. The building was inaugurated by Former Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu. Padma Shri Koneru Ram Krishna Rao, the former Chancellor of GITAM (Deemed to be University), was an iconic Gandhian scholar, renowned philosopher, psychologist and educationist.

 The GITAM School of Humanities and Social Science, which began its momentous journey as the Centre for Gandhian Studies in 2010, was the fruition of the long-cherished dream of Mr Rao. The building housing GSHS was renamed ‘Koneru Ramakrishna Rao Bhavan’ in recognition of his contributions and the generous donation of about INR 4.5 crores to GITAM.  

The committed amount will be used to conduct training programs/workshops for students and teachers; support various research projects in pursuit of new and innovative ideas that benefit the society at large and promote rural literacy; provide scholarships to meritorious and needy students to help them achieve their knowledge fulfilment goals; promote programs for citizen participation in community development, and empowerment of women, and to engage counsellors for providing counselling to the needy for their psychological health and economic well-being.

Speaking on the occasion, Mathukumilli Sri Bharat, President, GITAM (Deemed to be University), said, “Koneru Ramakrishna Rao’s commitment to Gandhian values was one of the strong bonding factors between him and my tata (grandfather) Dr M V V S Murthi. After my grandfather passed away, the magnanimity and confidence coming from Dr Rao gave me a lot of strength.” Referring to the donation of close to INR 4.5 crores by Dr Rao’s family to GITAM, he said, “Since we have founded in 1980, this is the largest donation outside of the founders, that has been made to GITAM. This is a significant donation to an existing institution.”

Sarath Chandra Rao Koneru, son of Koneru Ramakrishna Rao, said, “Over the years, my father was approached countless times for service in government or at a variety of academic institutions. He was very selective in what he chose to participate in. He accepted the Chancellor position at GITAM, and he really came to relish and love this institution. In the years and decades to follow, as people walk by this building or walk into this building, it really is my hope that they appreciate the man whose name is on the building not only for his accomplishments as a scholar and a leader but that they also appreciate him for his character.”

The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at GITAM offers a pioneering five-core undergraduate programme aligned to the Civil Services and a Master’s Programme in Economics. Faculty from diverse areas such as Psychology, Gandhian Studies, History, Geography, Sociology, Philosophy, Economics and Political Science and International Relations staff the Department. The Department brings contemporary relevance to Gandhian ideology through its diverse courses and offers value-based education support to the varsity.

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