LAUNCHES CIVIL SERVICES ADVOCACY INITIATIVE ON 15th June
(Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao, CBE Secretary)
In a time of fast-changing socio-economic dynamics and shrinking spaces for traditional knowledge systems, few endeavors stand out as both necessary and noble.
The formation of CENTER FOR BRAHMIN EXCELLENCE (CBE) as a Registered Society {under the Telangana Societies Registration Act, 2001 No. 314 of 2025}, is one such effort, not born out of nostalgia or exclusion, but from a deep understanding of the need to preserve, nurture, and contemporize a community that has silently slipped into economic obscurity, despite its vast intellectual capital.
It is not merely a society on paper, but it is a commitment to elevate, empower, and evolve. SRTMC provided a part of its premises to CBE Office temporarily, and agreed to support educational and other activities of mutual interest.
CBE as part of Cultural Preservation, plans to support Brahmin youth interested in fine arts, literature, music, and dance, not as hobbies, but as vocations of excellence. A digital and physical knowledge repository is envisioned, making access to information in all domains- Sanatana Dharma to Artificial Intelligence, seamless and meaningful.
In doing so, CBE becomes a catalyst, a convener, and a cultivator of excellence rooted in identity, but expansive in reach. What sets this initiative apart is not merely its intellectual depth but the precision of its roadmap. The objectives are well defined.
Among others, Civil Services Advocacy will be a flagship initiative. It focuses on building civil service aspirants among Brahmin youth through structured mentoring, academic coaching, and interview preparation. It aims to blend Vedic tradition with modern education, facilitating integrated models where students transition from Vedic paths to stem Arts, and Commerce courses without losing their cultural moorings.
Soft skills, communication, leadership, and entrepreneurship are part of the envisioned curriculum, because the goal is not just academic success, but holistic empowerment. An advertisement was released in April, calling applications from deserving and eligible Brahmin aspirants, to apply for support in their effort to enter Civil Services.
There was an overwhelming (140 applicants) response to its first advertisement. From them, 54 eligible candidates from Telugu States, were identified initially, for personal interaction, to list out few in order of merit for advocacy and support.
24 candidates (17 from Telangana and 7 from Andhra Pradesh) attended screening interviews. Out of them, 11 are female and 13 are male candidates, including 6 from EWS category. Among these, there are individuals who completed Professional courses like BE, B Tech, PG, and even pursuing PhD.
The entire data analysis was done by ‘Sai Sudha Sharvani’ an Income Tax Officer and a brilliant technology support to CBE from A to Z.
As part of CBE Launching Civil Services Initiative, daylong screening interviews were held by CBE on June 15, 2025 from 9 AM at Begumpet Sri Ramananda Tirtha Memorial Committee (SRTMC) Premises in Hyderabad by a team of 3 panels, each consisting of serving and retired senior civil servants (IAS and IPS Officers), professionals from various fields like management, and others with young entrepreneurial experience, led by LV Subrahmanyam IAS Retired, Former AP Chief Secretary.
MLC Surabhi Vani Devi, Chairperson and General Secretary of SRTMC (and a Member of CBE) preceded interviews. Others who graced the launch program in addition to CBE Members and Panel Members are: former MLC and Senior Advocate Naraparaju Ramchander Rao, Popular Film Music Director RP Patnaik.
Each panel consisting of 4 members spent at least 20-30 minutes on each aspiring candidate. After screening by panels, CBE had a wrap-up session regarding the way forward.
CBE selected a total of 12 individuals (Boys and Girls) as being qualified to take Combined Civil Services Examinations, four from each panel, based on their performance and in order of merit, by assessing their basic knowledge in areas like constitution, ethics, values, communication skills etc. Majority of the aspirants preferred mentoring, counselling, and review rather than financial support. Next step is in the process.
Formed by a ‘Group of 16 Conscientious Individuals’- retired IAS and IPS officers, Journalists, Entrepreneurs, Chartered Accountants, Teachers, Management Experts, and Professionals, the CBE society was registered. The Society was formed after three brainstorming discussions by the members on February 24, 27, and March 27, 2025 before finalizing bylaws.
The strength of the organization lies as much in its vision as in its execution team. The initial Annual Membership structure is equally purposeful. Membership is strictly by invitation and capped at 50 to begin with to ensure cohesion and commitment. New members are inducted after approval by founder members focusing on geographic and professional diversity, following meaningful inclusion, but not mass entry.
The formal launch of CBE on auspicious Ugadi Day of Viśvāvasu Samvatsara (March 30, 2025) was not symbolic; it was spiritual, blessed by Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya Sri Vidya Sankar Bharati Swamiji of Pushpagiri Peetham. With his divine Anugraha Bhashan, the ‘Spiritual and Excellence’ foundations of this transformative effort were laid at the holy Mutt in Hyderabad.
The CBE Executive Body comprises of Vijay Oddiraju (Entrepreneur) as President, SV Rao (Chartered Accountant) as Vice-President, Jwala Narasimha Rao Vanam (Freelance Journalist) as Secretary, MVR Sarma (Editor Spiritual Magazine), as Joint Secretary, and Sesha RSR Prasad Kondapalli (Chartered Accountant) as Treasurer.
Former AP Chief Secretary LV Subrahmanyam, Architect and Builder GVR Ravi, Former Lecturer Poondla Kalpavalli, and Pravachana Karta Ananta Lakshmi are the Executive Members. There are 7 more Founder members namely, Industrialist Cheruvu Rambabu; Former CEO 108 Services Venkat Changavalli; Entrepreneur Dr Mukku Srinivas Rao; Chairman PV Global Foundation PV Prabhakar Rao; Former DGP K Aravinda Rao; Film Maker Ved Aitharaju; and NRI Mavuduri Prasad.
MLC Surabhi Vani Devi; Former MLC and Senior Advocate Naraparaju Ramchander Rao, Senior Advocates Srinivas Kondapalli, E Hari Babu, Harkara Srinivasa Rao; Entrepreneurs KV Pradeep (Megha), Narender (Praneet), G Ravi Kumar (Saket), PV Ravi Kumar, Shekar Maramraju, Vinod Achanta, Pranava TVN (Saket); Dr Hemanth Oddiraju Physician, KV Pradeep TV Artist, Praveen Kulkarni Software, and Dr Tumuluri Mohan Kumar NATCO Pharma DGM joined subsequently. This ‘32-Member Eclectic Collective Team’ forms the soul and structure of the society.
CBE fulfilled the foundational, financial, and legal compliance, such as obtaining PAN, opening Bank Account with HDFC, completing registration on the Government of India’s NGO DARPAN portal etc. and is in the process for acquiring statutory exemptions to obtain voluntary donations for strengthening the CBE.
Each step is seen not as burdens but as bridges, connecting the vision of the society to the ecosystem of public, private, and philanthropic support.
Mission of CBE is clear. It must continue to balance operational focus with procedural diligence. And it is a framework to utilize the opportunities ahead, such as government support, corporate collaboration, public goodwill, which are reserved for those who navigate this space with both dedication and discipline.
At a time when civilizational knowledge is being replaced by fleeting content, and community roots are weakened by globalized anonymity, CBE seeks to rebuild identity through empowerment. It does not promote privilege; it protects potential. It does not seek exclusion; it seeks elevation. For the Brahmin youth who feel economically displaced and culturally adrift, it offers not charity, but direction.
Such an effort is not about the present alone, but It is about laying the foundation for a resilient, responsive, and respected community that gives back to society in the highest tradition of Yajna, a selfless offering. CBE will thrive not because of who its members are, but because of what they do. In doing so, they may light the path for similar other efforts, and causes, proving once again that tradition, when guided by purpose, can be the most modern force of all.
CBE now appeals to all likeminded individuals, within the Brahmin community and if necessary, beyond, to join hands in this journey. Let us make it clear, that their support need not always be monetary. Time, talent, ideas, mentorship, facilitation, communication support, access to resources, and even simple goodwill can go a long way in sustaining the momentum.
CBE Launching Civil Services Initiative is only the first step, and many more such initiatives are in waiting, in phases, including similar exercise in future. What this movement needs is not a crowd, but a committed circle of conscious contributors who believe that ‘DHARMA AND DEVELOPMENT’ are not contradictions, but companions. Let us act before time erodes what centuries have nurtured.
(Author is a an intellectual and former CPRO to CM)