Thirteenth Friday Gathering at Press Club Hyderabad
Continuity Expands Through New Voices and
Social Commitment
By Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao (May 8, 2026)
What
began weeks ago as an informal coming together of like-minded senior
professionals at the Press Club Hyderabad continues to evolve steadily into a
living continuum of reflection, memory, and meaningful dialogue. Each gathering
now carries with it not only the continuity of earlier meetings, but also the
quiet assurance that the initiative has found both rhythm and relevance. The
Thirteenth Friday Meeting, held on May 8, 2026, further strengthened this
evolving tradition.
True
to the spirit established since the very first gathering, the evening unfolded
without formality, agenda, or hierarchy. Yet, as repeatedly witnessed across
the earlier meetings, the absence of structure did not diminish depth.
Conversations once again moved naturally between current affairs, public life,
institutional memory, and lived experience, reaffirming the now-familiar
essence:
Meet.
Reflect. Share. Continue.
Present
at the gathering were regular participants Devulapalli Amar, Bhandaru Srinivasa
Rao, GK Murthy, and myself, joined by KD Prasad, whose earlier participation
had already added a distinct dimension to these evenings through his
recollections connected with the emergence of cable television in India. The
meeting also saw the participation of Madhu, joining the Friday circle for the
first time, reflecting the gradual widening of the initiative through
willingness rather than invitation.
The
evening acquired added significance with the presence of distinguished guest,
Padma Shri awardee Dr P Hanumantha Rao, founder-chairman of the SWEEKAAR
Group. His participation introduced yet another meaningful layer to these
gatherings, one that extended the conversations beyond journalism and public
communication into the sphere of social service, rehabilitation, and human
dignity.
As
has become characteristic of these Friday interactions, the discussions
initially flowed around contemporary developments. Given the political
significance of the day, attention naturally turned towards evolving political
developments in Tamil Nadu, particularly the future prospects of TVK Vijay,
coalition possibilities, questions surrounding post-election alignments, and
precedents relating to invitations for government formation. The exchange
remained reflective rather than argumentative. Different perspectives emerged,
yet the collective tone remained measured and balanced, ultimately settling
into the familiar understanding that public life often unfolds beyond immediate
prediction: 'Let us wait and watch.'
However,
the deeper and more enduring dimension of the evening emerged through the
interaction with Dr P Hanumantha Rao.
Dr
Hanumantha Rao represents a rare synthesis of medical practice, institutional
commitment, and lifelong social responsibility. A distinguished paediatrician
and rehabilitation specialist based in Hyderabad, he has spent over five
decades working for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with
disabilities. His contribution was nationally recognized when he received the
Padma Shri in 2023, one of India’s highest civilian honours.
Born
into a family of medical practitioners and educated at Kakatiya Medical
College, followed by specialization in paediatrics at Niloufer Hospital, his
professional journey gradually evolved into a larger humanitarian mission.
During the 1970s, while serving low- and middle-income communities through
private medical practice, he recognized a major gap in rehabilitation services
for children with disabilities. What began modestly, by converting a portion of
his clinic and garage into a small rehabilitation space for a handful of
children, eventually grew into the SWEEKAAR Academy of Rehabilitation Sciences.
Today,
SWEEKAAR stands as a comprehensive institution providing multidisciplinary
services across rehabilitation, audiology, speech therapy, special education,
psychological support, and physical rehabilitation. Behind its institutional
growth lies not merely organizational effort, but a sustained vision rooted in
dignity, inclusion, and long-term care.
Equally
striking was the quiet simplicity with which Dr Hanumantha Rao shared aspects
of his journey. Despite decades of achievement, national recognition, and
numerous awards, including the Dr BC Roy National Award and several honours
from the President of India, the interaction remained fully aligned with the
spirit of these Friday meetings: experience shared without display, achievement
discussed without self-projection.
An
especially inspiring aspect recalled during the interaction was his larger
dream: the establishment of a dedicated 'University of Rehabilitation
Sciences,' envisioned as a pioneering institution focused on the welfare,
education, and empowerment of persons with disabilities. The idea itself
resonated deeply with the larger spirit that has consistently guided these
gatherings: that institutions built with conviction eventually outgrow
individuals and become instruments of collective good.
In
many ways, the Thirteenth Friday Meeting reaffirmed an important pattern
already visible across earlier gatherings. What initially emerged as a forum
centred largely around journalism, media memories, and institutional
recollections is now naturally expanding into a wider confluence of
experiences. Journalism, governance, public service, activism, rehabilitation,
philosophy, and social commitment are increasingly finding space within the
same circle of dialogue.
Yet,
despite this widening scope, the essential character of the initiative remains
unchanged. There is no attempt to convert the gatherings into formal seminars
or structured discussions. Their strength continues to lie in informality,
continuity, openness, and mutual respect. Every participant adds perspective.
Every guest introduces a new dimension. Every Friday strengthens collective
memory.
If
earlier meetings transformed memory into meaning, and later meetings expanded
reflection into continuity and social engagement, the Thirteenth Gathering
quietly demonstrated another important dimension:
Meaningful
conversations deepen when
diverse
life journeys intersect with humility.
The
evening concluded, as always, without formal resolutions, but with a shared
sense of enrichment. What continues to stand out is not scale, but sincerity.
Not publicity, but participation. Not event management, but continuity of
thought.
The
evolving spirit may now be expressed as:
Meet.
Reflect. Share. Include. Continue.
And
perhaps, with growing clarity:
Connect
experiences, so that collective memory becomes collective wisdom.
That
was all about the 13th Friday Meeting at Press Club Hyderabad.
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