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{{short description|Indian social worker}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = G. Muniratnam
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth-date|6 January 1936}}
| birth_place = Seethapuram, Tiruvalur, [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
| death_date = {{Death-date and age|6 May 2021|6 January 1936}}<ref>[http://www.uniindia.com/~/padma-shri-dr-muniratnam-of-rass-passes-away/States/news/2389036.html Padma Shri Dr Muniratnam of RASS passes away]</ref>
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| restingplacecoordinates =
| othername =
| occupation = Social worker
| yearsactive = since 1981
| spouse =
| domesticpartner =
| children =
| parents = Rangaiah Naidu Mangamma
| website = {{URL||Official web site}}
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award 75th Avatar Mahotsava Award Dr. Paidi Lakshmaiah Memorial Award ICSW Best Welfare Worker Award [[Jamnalal Bajaj Award]] Gem of India Award Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Award Shiromani Award Indira Gandhi National Award [[Government of India|GOI]] National Award Balabhandu Award Rotary Award [[FICCI]] Award [[Jamnalal Bajaj]] Endowment Award
}}

'''Gutta Muniratnam''' (6 January 1936 – 6 May 2021)<ref> http://www.uniindia.com/~/padma-shri-dr-muniratnam-of-rass-passes-away/States/news/2389036.html </ref> was an Indian social worker, a member of the [[National Planning Commission of India]] and the founder of '''Rashtriya Seva Samithi''' (RASS),<ref name="Google Book">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=24vUAwAAQBAJ&q=G.+Muniratnam&pg=PA91 | title=Globalization, 3rd Edition: Theory and Practice | publisher=A and C Black | author=Eleonore Kofman, Gillian Youngs | year=2008 | pages=296 | isbn=9780826493644}}</ref> a [[non governmental organization]] engaged in the social welfare activities in over 2500 socio-economically backward villages in the [[Rayalaseema]] region,<ref name="Bio">{{cite web | url=http://www.jamnalalbajajfoundation.org/media/pdf/JBA_1995_Bio_G_Muniratnam.pdf | title=Jamnalal Bajaj Bio | publisher=Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation | date=2014 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> spread across the present day states of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]].<ref name="TOI">{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Telangana-state-may-get-two-Rayalaseema-districts/articleshow/21412251.cms | title=TOI | publisher=Times of India | date=28 July 2013 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> He was honored by the [[Government of India]], in 2012, with the fourth highest Indian civilian award of [[Padma Shri]].<ref name="Padma Shri">{{cite web |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Shri |publisher=Padma Shri |date=2014 |access-date=11 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6U68ulwpb?url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 November 2014 }}</ref>

==Biography==
Muniratnam Nayudu was born on 6 January 1936,<ref name="Bio" /><ref name="Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation">{{cite web | url=http://www.jamnalalbajajfoundation.org/awards/archives/1995/science--and--technology/g.-muniratnam | title=Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation | publisher=Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation | date=2014 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> at the remote hamlet of Seethapuram in Tiruvalur of the undivided [[Andhra Pradesh]], India, to Rangaiah Naidu and Mangamma.<ref name="IBN LIve">{{cite web | url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/muniratnam-dedicates-his-padma-to-rass-workers/224429-60-114.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20141207145159/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/muniratnam-dedicates-his-padma-to-rass-workers/224429-60-114.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 December 2014 | title=IBN LIve | publisher=IBN LIve | date=28 January 2012 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> He did his schooling in Tirutani and during that period, he came under the influence of the renowned [[Gandhian]]s, [[N. G. Ranga]] and [[Nirmala Deshpande]].<ref name="RASS" /> He started his social involvement by organizing a few children's clubs called ''Balananda Sangham'' when he was 15.<ref name="Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation" /> Later, he joined the ''Bharat Sevak Samaj'',<ref name="Bharat Sevak Samaj">{{cite web | url=http://bharatsevaksamaj.org/ | title=Bharat Sevak Samaj | publisher=Bharat Sevak Samaj | date=2014 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> and got associated with their youth welfare programs during the period 1960-66.<ref name="Bio" /> In 1970, Muniratnam moved to [[Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh|Tirupati]] where he had the opportunity to meet the social activist, Rajgopal Naidu.<ref name="RASS" /> The association paved the way for the organization, ''Rayalaseema Seva Samithi'', in 1981, which was later renamed as ''Rashtriya Seva Samithi'' (RASS).

Muniratnam, a recipient of DLitt (Honoris Causa) from [[Sri Venkateswara University]],<ref name="RASS" /> lived in [[Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh|Tirupati]] where RASS has its headquarters.<ref name="RASS">{{cite web | url=http://www.rassngo.org/images/dr_g_muniratnam_profile.pdf | title=RASS | publisher=RASS | date=2014 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>

Muniratnam died from [[COVID-19]] on 6 May 2021, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]]. He was 85 years old.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/tirupathi/tirupati-rass-founder-muniratnam-succumbs-to-covid-19-685189 | title=Tirupati: RASS founder Muniratnam succumbs to Covid-19 | publisher=The Hans India | date=7 May 2021 | access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref>

==Rashtriya Seva Samithi and social career==
Rashtriya Seva Samithi, erstwhile Rayalaseema Seva Samithi, has hosted the social activities of Muniratnam, ever since he founded the organization, with assistance from Rajgopal Naidu, in 1981.<ref name="Bio" /><ref name="Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation" /><ref name="RASS" /> One of the first attempts was to make modern scientific applications available to the poor farmers of the drought prone Rayalaseema region and he succeeded in establishing a ''Krishi Vigyan Kendra'' under the umbrella of the [[Indian Council of Agricultural Research]].<ref name="Bio" /><ref name="Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation" /> Later, his activities focussed on women and child welfare for which several ''Mahila Mandals'' were established.<ref name="Bio" /> He is known to have initiated several agro-forestry and horticultural programs by supplying saplings free of cost. The nursery, set up by RASS is reported to have supplied over six hundred thousand saplings and grafts to the farmers.<ref name="Bio" /> The organization has developed a 75-acre farm, received as a grant from the [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]], where modern agricultural methods are being implemented.<ref name="Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation" /> They have also supplied smokeless ''chulhas'' (kitchen stoves) and have a running program to train the women in using the stoves.<ref name="Bio" />

Another area of focus of the organization is in employment generation for which they have established several small scale manufacturing units in garments, assembly of electronic products, toys and foodstuffs. The units provide training and job opportunities to people and help them set up their own units after successful completion of training by providing financial assistance. They claim the scheme has benefitted over 2000 women.<ref name="Bio" /> They are also involved in sanitation programs under which 750 low cost comfort stations have been constructed. The program also incorporates waste water disposal by channelising it for irrigation purposes. Awareness campaigns on community health, family planning services, personal hygiene and environmental sanitation are also regularly conducted and a nurses training centre is also in operation, since 1986, under the management of the organization.<ref name="Bio" /> They have also set up many maternity care centres in and around [[Chittoor district]].<ref name="Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation" />

Under the guidance of Muniratnam, the organization is reported to have established 600 early education centres, benefitting 30,000 children of the region. The organization is known to have set up 1100 basic education centres in [[Chittoor district|Chittoor]] and [[Cudappah]] districts to provide non formal education to 32,000 children of which 166 centres are exclusively for girls and another 227 centres open to backward communities.<ref name="Bio" />

Rashtriya Seva Samithi has a reported presence in 2500 villages spread in four districts in the Rayalaseema region.<ref name="Bio" /> In order to broaden the reach of his activities, Muniratnam has already set up a nationwide organization, ''Sahaya Samithi'', widening the scope of activities to include the rehabilitation of physically and mentally challenged children incorporating assistance for destitute women.<ref name="Bio" /> Muniratnam attended conferences and seminars to deliver keynote addresses<ref name="speech">{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s98sdh6iZM | title=Speech by Dr. Muniratnam | publisher=YouTube | work=Video | date=16 January 2014 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> and wrote articles to propagate his views.<ref name="article">{{cite web | url=http://www.nirmaladeshpande.org/HTML/muniretnam.html | title=Article by Muniratnam | publisher=Nirmala Deshpande.org | date=2014 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>

==Positions==
Muniratnam, a former member of the [[National Planning Commission of India]],<ref name="Google Book" /> has served on many government constituted committees and agencies. At the central government level, he has been a member of ''Sakshara Bharat'', ([[Ministry of Human Resource Development (India)|Ministry of Human Resource Development]]), Regional Committee of the Council for Advance of People's Action and Rural Technology CAPART, ([[Ministry of Rural Development (India)|Ministry of Rural Development]]),<ref name="Web India">{{cite web | url=http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20120126/1915124.html | title=Web India | publisher=Web India | date=25 January 2012 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation (NCCDR),<ref name="Web India" /> (Ministry of Social Justice), the Governing Board of ''Rashtriya Mahila Kosh'' (RMK),<ref name="Web India" /> the Executive Committee of the Central Social Welfare Board<ref name="Web India" /><ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/honour-for-muniratnam/article4437228.ece | title=The Hindu | date=21 February 2013 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> and the [[National Literacy Mission|National Literacy Mission Authority]], ([[Ministry of Human Resource Development (India)|Ministry of Human Resource Development]]).<ref name="RASS" /> He has held the chairs of the State Resource Center<ref name="Web India" /> and ''Jan Sikshan Sansthan'',<ref name="JSS">{{cite web | url=http://jss.nic.in/ | title=JSS | publisher=JSS | date=2014 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> two of the [[Ministry of Human Resource Development (India)|Ministry of Human Resource Development]] initiatives.<ref name="RASS" />

At the State administration level, Muniratnam has held the chair of Orissa Tribal Development Project and has been a member of the GO-NGO Coordination Committee and the Advisory Council of the Vigilance Commission of the [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name="RASS" /> He was the president of Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj, New Delhi,<ref name="IBN LIve" /> vice president of the [[Harijan Sevak Sangh|All India Harijan Sevak Sangh]] Delhi,<ref name="IBN LIve" /> and the convenor of the National Forum of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (NGO sector). He was the Chairperson of ''Krishi Vigyan Kendra''<ref name="KVK">{{cite web | url=http://www.icar.org.in/en/krishi-vigyan-kendra.htm | title=KVK | publisher=ICAR | date=2014 | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> of the [[Indian Council of Agricultural Research]] housed at [[Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University]]<ref name="Web India" /> and ''Balaji Bala Vikas''.<ref name="RASS" /><ref name="Balaji Bala Vikas">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7EVUGwAACAAJ | title=Balaji Bala Vikas | publisher=Rayalaseema Seva Samithi | author=Rayalaseema Seva Samithi | year=1986}}</ref> He was also a life member of [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]], Mumbai, [[Indian Red Cross Society]], Andhra Pradesh, Youth Hostels of India, New Delhi and the [[Indian Institute of Public Administration]] (IIPA), Delhi.<ref name="RASS" />

==Awards and recognitions==
Three years after the establishment of Rashtriya Seva Samithi, in 1984-85, Muniratnam received the National award for his contributions to Child welfare.<ref name="Bio" /><ref name="Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation" /><ref name="RASS" /> In 1987, Indian Merchants Chamber awarded him the Jamnalal Bajaj Endowment Award<ref name="Bio" /><ref name="Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation" /><ref name="RASS" /> and another award came his way in 1989, the Indira Gandhi Unity Award from the [[National Integration Council]], New Delhi.<ref name="Bio" /><ref name="Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation" /><ref name="RASS" /> This was followed by the Shiromani Award (1991), Gem of India Award (1992) from All India Achiever's Association, Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Award (1992) from the International Institute of Peace and Friendship Society, Balabhandu Award (1995) from the [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]] and Dr. Paidi Lakshmaiah Memorial Award, (1998) from the Government of India.<ref name="RASS" />

[[Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation]] conferred their annual [[Jamnalal Bajaj Award]] on Muniratnam in 1995.<ref name="Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation" /> The next year, he received the award from the Indian Council of Social Welfare, Hyderabad, and a year later, the [[FICCI]] award.<ref name="RASS" /> He has also received Rotary India Award (2004), Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award, (2006) from the [[Ministry of Women and Child Development (India)|Ministry of Women and Child Development]] and 75th Avatar Mahotsava Award (2010) from [[Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham]].<ref name="RASS" /> In 2012, the Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honor of [[Padma Shri]].<ref name="Padma Shri" />

==See also==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[N. G. Ranga]]
* [[Nirmala Deshpande]]
* [[Harijan Sevak Sangh]]
* [[National Literacy Mission]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=24vUAwAAQBAJ&q=G.+Muniratnam&pg=PA91 | title=Globalization, 3rd Edition: Theory and Practice | publisher=A and C Black | author=Eleonore Kofman, Gillian Youngs | year=2008 | pages=296 | isbn=9780826493644}}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.nirmaladeshpande.org/HTML/muniretnam.html | title=Article by Muniratnam | publisher=Nirmala Deshpande.org | date=2014 | access-date=7 December 2014}}
* {{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7EVUGwAACAAJ | title=Balaji Bala Vikas | publisher=Rayalaseema Seva Samithi | author=Rayalaseema Seva Samithi | year=1986}}

==External links==
* {{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV4F4sUV7xE | title=Civil Investiture Ceremony - Padma Shri | publisher=YouTube | work=Video | date=4 April 2012 | access-date=1 December 2014}}
* {{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s98sdh6iZM | title=Speech by Dr. Muniratnam | publisher=YouTube | work=Video | date=16 January 2014 | access-date=7 December 2014}}
{{Jamnalal Bajaj Award winners}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Social Work}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Muniratnam, G.}}
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in social work]]
[[Category:Andhra Pradesh politicians]]
[[Category:Social workers]]
[[Category:People from Rayalaseema]]
[[Category:Social workers from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India]]

G. Muniratnam - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 11:43, 14 August 2023