During his tenure as AP's IT Minister from 2014 to 2019, Nara Lokesh was known for his proactive approach, and in his current term, he has expanded his influence by taking on the Education Ministry as well. Recently, Lokesh made headlines when a single WhatsApp message to him resulted in life-changing actions for 25 physically disabled students who had excelled in the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) but faced a bureaucratic hurdle.
These students, despite securing impressive ranks, were unable to pursue their education at prestigious institutions like IIT and NIT due to a technical requirement set by the AP Education Department. While IIT and NIT mandated mark sheets for five subjects, the AP Education Department exempted students with physical disabilities from second language papers, resulting in only four subject mark sheets for these students. Consequently, their applications were rejected.
Upon receiving an urgent WhatsApp message from AP resident Prithvi Satyadev highlighting this issue, Nara Lokesh swiftly intervened. He ensured that the necessary arrangements were made to adjust the mark sheets, adding a fifth subject with a passing mark of 35. This quick action cleared the technical hurdle, enabling all 25 students to secure their seats in prestigious institutions like IIT and NIT.
The turnaround was remarkably fast, with the resolution from Lokesh's office being issued within just a week of receiving the message. This proactive response directly transformed the lives of the mentioned students.
Further demonstrating his commitment, when these students visited AP to express their gratitude, Lokesh presented them with Dell laptops to support their academic pursuits. This gesture underscored Lokesh's dedication as a dynamic education minister, striving to make a positive impact through practical and swift actions.