Following backlash, AP govt scraps order to rename Kalam award as YSR Vidya Puraskar

The decision to rename the award invited opposition from the Telugu Desam Party, including party chief and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu who called it "a shocking method of self-aggrandizement at the cost of disrespecting a much venerated man.''

ysrcp andhra pradesh, ysr congress, YSR Vidya Puraskar, andhra pradesh kalam award name change, chandrababu naidu,

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (File/PTI Photo)

Following severe backlash, the Andhra Pradesh government Tuesday revoked its day-old order to rename Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Pratibha Puraskar to YSR Vidya Puraskar.

“After it came to his notice CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy ordered officials to revoke the order to change Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Pratibha Puraskar to YSR Vidya Puraskar. The CM warned that the awards should continue in the name of the former president,” a statement from the CM office said.

The decision to rename the award invited opposition from the Telugu Desam Party, including party chief and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu who called it “a shocking method of self-aggrandizement at the cost of disrespecting a much venerated man.”

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On Monday, the YSR Congress Party government in the state issued an order to re-designate the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Prathibha Puraskar Awards as YSR Vidya Puraskars. A Government Order to this effect was issued by the School Education Department.

The awards are handed out on November 11 every year on the occasion of National Education Day.

“The Government of Andhra Pradesh in its endeavour to promote quality and excellence in education have introduced the scheme of “Pratibha Awards.” Under this scheme, meritorious students who excel in SSC public examinations will be awarded with merit certificates, a memento and scholarships to meet the cost of higher education,” the order stated.

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