Hyderabad: Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Monday presented the Governor Awards for Excellence – 2025 to selected individuals and organisations at Lok Bhavan during the Republic Day ‘At Home’ programme.
The Governor launched the Governor Awards for Excellence in 2024. Accordingly, the initiative aims to recognise outstanding voluntary service. For 2025, the awards covered four categories. These included women’s empowerment, tribal development, rural health and medical philanthropy, and corporate volunteering.
For this edition, authorities invited nominations in November through online and offline modes. Subsequently, an independent committee examined the applications in detail. After scrutiny, the committee finalised the awardees.
Governor honours individuals and organisations for social service
Former Union Home Secretary and Padma Bhushan awardee K Padmanabhaiah, who also chairs the Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, led the selection committee. Other members included retired IAS officer C R Biswal, Padma Shri awardee Sunitha Krishnan, Dr Chinnababu Sunkavalli, Ramesh Kaja and J Bhavani Shankar.
In the individual category, Ramadevi Kanneganti of Hyderabad received the award for women’s empowerment. She enabled rural and underprivileged women to become entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Todasa Kailas of Waghapur in Adilabad district won the award for tribal development for reviving the Gondi language and preserving tribal folklore.
Similarly, Dr Pradyut Waghre of Hyderabad received the award for rural health and medical philanthropy. He provided affordable treatment for chest disease to the rural poor. In addition, V Rajanna of Hyderabad earned the award for corporate volunteering for strengthening organised community service.
Among organisations, the Sai Social Empowerment Society of Ghatkesar received recognition for its work in women’s empowerment. Indigenous Development Organisation of Gattumalla village in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district won the award for tribal development. Ramadevarao Hospital, Hyderabad, earned the honour for rural health and medical philanthropy. Likewise, Give for Society of Ghatkesar received the award for corporate volunteering.
Each award carried a cash prize of ₹2 lakh along with a citation. Finally, the Governor congratulated all awardees and praised their contribution to social development across Telangana.