About Bhagavatula Charitable Trust
Nearly five decades of dedicated service transforming rural and tribal lives in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
"True development comes when we empower communities to empower themselves."
— Dr. B.V. Parameswara Rao, Founder
Dr. B.V. Parameswara Rao
Founder
Dr. BV Parameswara Rao spent his growing years in the villages of Dimili and Visakhapatnam. Greatly influenced by the knowledge he saw in common simple villagers, he went on to do his PhD in Nuclear Sciences at Penn State University. However, as his heart still lay in India, he returned soon after and began living in his native village. Seeing the plight of the people in his neighbourhood, he started the first pilot project of setting up a school with public participation.
Soon, Bhagavatula Charitable Trust started operations, and Dr. BV Parameswara Rao went on to lead many projects, with many becoming models for replication across India.His expertise and dedication were sought by both global and national organizations. He therefore associated with the World Bank, National Literacy Mission, and even played a key role in starting the ILP, DWCRA among many other projects. A true example of how one small step can impact a large change, he was also chosen as The Week Magazine’s ‘Man of the year’.
A simply-clad man who placed the villagers’ wisdom in high regard, Dr. Parameswara Rao left the mortal realm on June 9, 2019. While the void cannot be filled, his lessons, wisdom and conversations linger on, along with the exemplary work that continues to make the world a better place.