Swami Ramananda Tirtha Memorial Model School >>>>> In PV Narasimha Rao Bhavan, with a Difference : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 Swami Ramananda Tirtha Memorial Model School

In PV Narasimha Rao Bhavan, with a Difference

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao (June 18, 2026)

            There cannot be a greater tribute to former Prime Minister Late PV Narasimha Rao, The Founder Chairman of ‘Swami Ramananda Tirtha Memorial Committee (SRTMC)’ than the ‘Memorial Model School’ named after his Political Acharya, Swamiji, as affectionately addressed by PV, being exceptionally developed into a ‘Real Model School’ in the campus, now known as ‘PV Narasimha Rao Bhavan’ which is located in Brahman Wadi, Begumpet (Hyderabad) near the Railway Station.

            The bubbling enthusiasm of the ‘School as a Whole,’ nevertheless, comprising the collective strength of several individuals, that included, Chair Person SRTMC Surabhi Vani Devi-the brain behind the conceptual framework, Shekar Maramraju an young entrepreneur returned to Hyderabad for good, from USA leaving lucrative assignment there, to contribute something to society, his wife Surabhi Ajita, the Parents Committee that autonomously runs the school, committed 15 member staff, and the current strength of 220 students of all ages etc. reverberated in the campus today forenoon for about two hours.

               The reason was as simple as any formal gathering, but the difference was, ‘this event made a huge difference’ due to a unique program that was organized by SRTMC and the parents committee of the school jointly, and marked as a special occasion. Former Ministers K T Rama Rao (BRS Working President and MLA Siricilla) and Talasani Srinivasa Yadav (MLA Sanath Nagar) accompanied by a huge fan following, participated in formal program of floral tributes to Swami Ramananda Tirtha, and distribution of books and bags to the school students in the premises. All the roads leading to the venue were colorful with KTR Flex banners.

Both Talasani and KTR went round the Institute, that included Library, a huge collection of books by Late PV Narasimha Rao, former Prime Minister. KTR also shared lunch with school children. There were promises galore with Talasani who has been already extending munificent help to the Institute in general and the school in particular, made a fresh promise of taking care of the expenditure on Books and mid-day meals parts. Talasani who earlier itself, being highly impressed with the school, even facilitated GHMC Akshaya Patra Rs 5 meals scheme in automated mode.

KTR promised to do his best to extend all possible help for the rejuvenation of the age-old and extremely precious Library in the PV Narasimha Rao Bhavan. KTR even assured of all possible help in the running of school, and Institute, to the best of his ability. Both the former ministers, on the platform praised the efforts of MLC Surabhi Vani Devi Chair Person of SRTMC and Shekar Maramraju who takes care of the Institute run School in the premise over the years.

KTR gave a clarion call to the school's students, urging them to rise to the level of PV, who originally founded the premises where their school stands today, including learning multiple languages like PV fluently. The school that is being referred here, was established in 2014 with PP1 and PP2 classes, catering to just 20 kids. Though the objective was to conduct classes up to 10^th class eventually, for inexplicable reasons, it is being limited to just 7^th class for the present. It is totally non-residential as of now, and the current strength, as already mentioned stands at 220.

The school fee is nominal (that too no compulsion!) as the children mostly come from lower middle-class background. SRMT provides infrastructure, 8 class rooms, and free books through sponsors. Teachers are paid an average pay of Rs 15-20 thousands and are mostly belonging from nearby locality. There are quite a few retired staff too. Despite free school fees to some, through various sources there is a nominal corpus of about Rs 7.5 lakhs according to Shekar Maramraju, who looks after the school at a broader level.

It is befitting to mention about the Swami Ramananda Tirtha Memorial Committee, the Institute, and about the Swamiji himself. Swami Ramanand Tirtha was an Indian politician, freedom fighter, educator par excellence and great social activist who led the Hyderabad liberation struggle during the reign of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad State. Swami Ramanand Tirtha was the principal leader of the Hyderabad State Congress. As an illustrious political leader his contribution towards the struggle was unparalleled.

The Hyderabad Liberation Struggle, which Swamiji spearheaded, was not just a fight against the atrocities of the last Nizam, but also reflected an inspiration to be a part of the then newly formed Indian Union. Swamiji was a ‘Sanyasi’ committed to constructive politics and provided exemplary politico-spiritual leadership to a large number of people, mostly his passionate followers, of whom many went onto assume high public offices and serving the country ardently.  

Swamiji though known as a Sanyasi (ascetic or monk), unlike traditional Sanyasis retreating to forests or ashrams for isolated meditation, he practiced atypical Karma Yoga, the path of selfless action. He used his monastic detachment as a powerful tool for political liberation, social reform, and public service. His life as a Sanyasi was defined by his transition from a standard life to becoming the fiery leader who successfully led the Hyderabad Freedom Struggle.  

Before taking his monastic vows, Swamiji, the highly educated, held a Master’s degree with a thesis on the ‘Evolution of Democracy.’ Despite his intellectual prospects, he decided to renounce worldly desires and family life. When Swamiji took the holy vows of Sannyasa (renunciation and voluntary lifelong bachelorship), he was given the name ‘Swami Ramananda Tirtha’ in place of his birth name, Venkatesh Bhagvan Rao Khedgikar.

Being a Sanyasi Swamiji, he had no personal burdens. Because he had no property, no family of his own, and no economic ambitions, he was entirely fearless. He could not be bought, bribed, or intimidated by the Nizam's regime or the brutal Razakar militia. He viewed fighting for the freedom of oppressed citizens as his supreme spiritual duty. He organized massive non-violent Satyagrahas, challenged the Nizam's decree to remain independent of India, and spent multiple terms in prison.

After Hyderabad was liberated, he served as a Lok Sabha Member in 1952, but lived with the absolute simplicity of a monk. Following Swamiji’s death in 1972, PV Narasimha Rao and Govind Bhai Shroff set up SRTMC. SB Chavan, VB Raji, T Hayagriva Chary, DV Pangrekar, GS Melkote, KV Narsing Rao, Veerendra Patil, Mir Akbar Ali Khan, C Sudershan with other eminent personalities set up this as a Voluntary organization, in 1974. It was mainly to honour the memory of his Guru, and to propagate Swamiji’s philosophy PV established SRTMC.

SRTMC is basically committed to secular ideals, as envisaged by Swamiji. Development of Backward Areas, fostering Cultural and Literary Interaction resulting in National Integration has been the core ideal of SRTMC. There has been adequate emphasis on Yoga, Naturopathy, Women and Child Welfare, Empowering Women, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Skill Development to strengthen Livelihood, Conduct of Medical Camps, Environmental Protection, Traditions, Customs etc. are the core themes and objectives.

There is a fully equipped Library in the PV Narasimha Rao Bhavan, the Institute’s campus, with more that highly precious over ten thousand books, periodicals, and other valuable reading materials. In addition to Conference Hall, Seminar Hall, Solar Workshop, Computer Laboratory, Residential Accommodation for exclusively to Research Scholars etc. The present Life Members of ARTMC from Telangana State are:  Secretary and In charge Chair Person Surabhi Vani Devi, YV Chandrashekhar Rao, PV Prabhakar Rao, Shekhar Maramraj, and myself, besides few from Maharashtra and Karnataka.