Kurella Vittalacharya
{{Short description|Indian educator}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kurella Vittalacharya
| image = Vitalacharya sir.jpg
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1938}}
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Educator, Poet, Author
| years_active =
| known_for = Contributions to Telugu literature and education
| notable_works = 'Vittaleshwara Satakam'
| awards = Telugu University Distinguished Award, Dasarathi Award
}}
Kurella Vittalacharya (born 1938) is an Indian educator, poet, and author who has contributed to Telugu literature. His work was recognised with the Padma Shri in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Bhoomi |first=Vivek |date=2021-12-12 |title=Dr Kurella Vittalacharya: Telangana's 84-year-old marvellous Mr Words |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2021/Dec/12/dr-kurella-vittalacharya-the-marvellous-mr-words-2394596.html |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Modi praises Vithalacharya ... Who is he yet? |url=http://www.indiaherald.com/Politics/Read/994458685/Modi-praises-Vithalacharya-Who-is-he-yet- |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=indiaherald.com |language=en}}
Early life and career
Vittalacharya was born into a family that faced financial challenges after the death of his father. He pursued his literary education with the help of community support.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-14 |title=84-Year-Old Gives Up Everything He Earned To Establish Library With Over 2 Lakh Books |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/dr-kurella-vittalacharya-established-library-2-lakh-books-556707.html |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=IndiaTimes |language=en-IN}} {{Cite web |date=2021-12-31 |title=Inspiring Story Of Dr. Kurella Vittalacharya For Book Lovers |url=https://mad4india.com/mad-for-change/dr-kurella-vittalacharya-library-2lakhbooks/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |language=en-US}}
Vittalacharya has served as a principal and lecturer, and has written 22 books, including the poetry collection 'Vittaleshwara Satakam'. His contributions have earned him accolades including the Telugu University Distinguished Award and the Dasarathi Award in 2019, which was presented by then Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu.{{Cite web |last=Bhoomi |first=Vivek |date=2021-12-27 |title=TNIE impact: PM Narendra Modi sees the bright side in Telangana writer's story |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2021/Dec/27/tnie-impact-pm-narendra-modi-sees-the-bright-side-intelangana-writers-story-2400072.html |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}
Vittalacharya established a public library in his hometown which has 200,000 books. This has led to the development of additional libraries in surrounding areas.{{Cite web |last=Tanima |date=2022-01-03 |title=This Man Spent His Entire Earnings To Set Up A Library |url=https://lifebeyondnumbers.com/kurella-vittalacharya-library-telangana/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=lifebeyondnumbers.com |language=en-US}} {{Cite news |date=2024-02-04 |title=T'gana govt felicitates Padma awardees including Venkaiah Naidu, Chiranjeevi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/tgana-government-felicitates-padma-awardees-including-venkaiah-naidu-chiranjeevi/articleshow/107401142.cms |access-date=2024-04-17 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
Honors
His efforts have been nationally recognized, receiving praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 'Mann Ki Baat' radio program. On January 25, 2024, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri for his extensive contributions to the fields of literature and education.{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2024-01-25 |title=Five from Telangana, three from Andhra Pradesh in Padma Awards 2024 list |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/five-from-telangana-three-from-ap-in-padma-awards-2024-list/article67777723.ece |access-date=2024-04-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} {{Cite web |date=2024-01-26 |title=Five from Telangana get Padma Shri in arts, literature |url=https://www.ap7am.com/en/73660/five-from-telangana-get-padma-shri-in-arts-literature |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=ap7am.com |language=en}} {{Cite web |date=2024-01-26 |title=Padma Awards 2024: PM Modi sends heartfelt congratulations to recipients in special message – Check full list of Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan awardees here |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-padma-awards-2024-pm-modi-sends-heartfelt-congratulations-to-recipients-in-special-message-check-full-list-of-padma-bhushan-padma-shri-padma-vibhushan-awardees-here-3375696/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}
References
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