Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna visited the actor's ancestral village of Thummanpet to award scholarships to 180 meritorious students from 44 government schools. The initiative, run by The Deverakonda Foundation, aims to support rural educational advancement and represents a long-term commitment to students in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district.
THUMMANPET, Telangana — Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna visited Thummanpet village in the Achampet Mandal on Sunday to personally honor 180 meritorious government school students. The event, held under the auspices of The Deverakonda Foundation, officially launched a new scholarship initiative aimed at supporting young learners from the region during their critical academic years.
The program focuses on rewarding students in the 9th and 10th grades who have demonstrated academic excellence. The initiative serves as the realization of a project first announced by the couple in February 2026, shortly after their marriage.
Fulfilling a Personal Commitment
For Vijay Deverakonda, the visit held deep personal significance. Thummanpet is the birthplace of his father, and the actor has frequently expressed a desire to reconnect with his ancestral roots through community service.
"Giving you this small scholarship gift is very small. But I feel it is important for us. I want to be a part of your lives," Vijay Deverakonda said while addressing students and their families. He emphasized that this event is merely the start of a broader vision to expand support for rural talent across the state of Telangana.
Rashmika Mandanna, who joined her husband for the distribution ceremony, shared her enthusiasm for the project. "Today we are starting something good through The Deverakonda Foundation. We decided that we would begin it from Achampet and Thummanpet, which is our father-in-law’s village," she stated.
Scope of the Educational Initiative
The scholarship program, facilitated by The Deverakonda Foundation, targets 44 government schools within the Achampet division of the Nagarkurnool district. By identifying high-performing students at the secondary level, the foundation aims to provide the necessary financial stability to ensure these students can continue their education without disruption.
The selection process prioritized students based on their academic consistency and performance in class, with the foundation publishing the list of 180 beneficiaries across social media platforms to celebrate their achievements publicly.
Quote Section
"According to officials associated with The Deverakonda Foundation, the initiative is designed to reward the discipline and focus of rural students. The actors stated that their long-term goal is to build a scalable model that will eventually benefit government school students throughout Telangana."
Why It Matters
This initiative highlights a growing trend of prominent South Indian celebrities leveraging their platform to address educational inequality in rural regions. By specifically targeting government school students in the Achampet Mandal, the couple is providing essential support to a demographic that often lacks access to private tutoring or financial aid. The success of this pilot program in Thummanpet is expected to serve as a blueprint for future expansions of the foundation’s work in the state.
Key Facts at a Glance
Total Beneficiaries: 180 government school students from 44 schools.
Target Demographic: High-performing 9th and 10th-grade students.
Location: Achampet Mandal, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana.
Organization: The Deverakonda Foundation.
Vision: A pilot program intended for future expansion across all of Telangana.
FAQ
What is the purpose of this scholarship?
The scholarship aims to support meritorious students in government schools by providing financial aid to help them continue their secondary and higher education.
Which students are eligible?
The current program focuses on high-achieving 9th and 10th-grade students across 44 government schools in the Achampet division.
Is this a one-time event?
No, the actors have described this as a "long-term dream" and plan to expand the initiative to cover more regions across Telangana in the coming years.
Summary:
Source: The Deverakonda Foundation, India Today, Hindustan Times