In children`s service

Yema Reddy, whose full-time profession is to serve children, is one enigmatic personality to watch out for.

His small office snuggled in HRBR Layout, 7th Main is filled with small drawings made by children and wall posters of Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda.
"I derive inspiration and emulate values instilled in great leaders such as Bhagat Singh, Bose, Anna Hazare and others.  They have made sacrifices for the sake of our country and people," said Reddy, who was born and bought up in Banaswadi. His Om Sri Narayana Charitable Foundation (R) that has almost 50 slum and labourers' kids is more than five years old. 

Having a sense of patriotism
Talking about his childhood days, Reddy said: "I think I have developed this sense of patriotism and social service from my school days itself. I still remember the day when one of my classmates didn't get the lunch box and shared my lunch as I couldn't see him hungry. My motto is to serve the citizens and they should be benefited, that's it."  Currently, he is extending support and funding to the ongoing construction of Hindu Researching and Organizing Centre. His future plans include starting similar kind of charitable foundation in every state of India within five years. Besides, he will be unveiling a destitute school soon that will be set up in the outskirts of Bangalore.
Advising youngsters and imparting them with good values, he feels, is the duty of elders. "People should encourage and motivate the growing generation as they are our future. Even though we do so much, people do not support us for what we have done which can be a bit disappointing and letdown. For children at least, parents should praise and tap their shoulders so that are inspired to achieve more in their lives," he said dotingly.

Spreading importance of education
Although Yema Reddy is not that highly educated, he makes efforts to spread the importance of education among children. Also on his agenda is the social awareness which he feels is the responsibility of the citizens living in society. Whenever he sees plastic covers or waste strewn over, he makes sure to clean it and then move on.  In fact, recently when he got the information that the Milk Booth Ground in OMBR Layout is not properly maintained, he himself went and started cleaning along with a few workers.
Recently, he received an appreciation from theatre artiste and social activist Malanad Chandra for his good social work. Besides this, Yema Reddy counsels students of various schools in Banaswadi, Chnnasandra, Subbanapalya and Chikkabanaswadi.  His happiest moments are when he sees joy and happiness in the eyes of kids. He strongly believes that all the children are gifts from God.

Time for sports
Despite his busy schedule, he takes time off to take part actively in sports like basketball, kabaddi, football, wrestling and boxing. Discipline and respecting time are some of the virtues he has inherited naturally and imparts the same for others to follow as he considers them to be the two key factors to a successful life.  Besides being a big sports addict, he is also an early morning walker. "My day is incomplete without jogging. I jog for 4 kms at a stretch in the morning. It works wonders as it keeps my body light and energetic," Reddy adds before signing off.

For education
Yema Reddy makes efforts to spread the importance of education among children. Also on his agenda is the social awareness which he feels is the responsibility of the citizens living in society. Whenever he sees plastic covers or waste strewn over, he makes sure to clean it and then move on.

--NIVEDITHA JAIN