Warangal: Social activist Keerthy Satish sets an example
Meet Satish Kumar Kirti, an STI (sexually transmitted infection) counselor at the government-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Warangal.
Published Date – 04:53 PM Sun – 1 Jan 23
Warangal: He started helping his friends by doing their homework to ‘save’ them from being beaten up by the teachers at school. Later in life, he studied sociology and became a social worker, going on to win accolades and awards for his services.
Meet Satish Kumar Keerthi, STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Consultant at the government-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital. Warangal,
“In 1992, in the early days of HIV/AIDS being detected in India, I heard many sad stories about those infected. I noticed that most of the infected people were in the age group of 15-35 years. I was moved by their pathetic stories. So I decided to create awareness among the students and youth of that age group. Even when I was in the teaching profession, I studied about the causes and effects of HIV / AIDS. Since then, I have organized several awareness programs.” Satish Kumar told ‘Telangana Today’.
Since many people are losing their precious lives due to non-availability of blood during medical emergency, Kirti started the campaign to encourage people to donate blood. He led from the front by donating blood 50 times.
“I started donating my blood twice a year from 1995 and till date I have donated blood 50 times (units). Recognizing my service, the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) has made me a life member,” he said.
Kirti Satish, moved by the plight of the visually impaired, is also encouraging people to donate their loved ones’ eyes after their death.
“Besides taking a pledge to donate my eyes after my death to the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust, Hyderabad in 1999, I also donated my mother Bharata Lakshmi’s eyes. So far, I have helped collect 66 pairs of corneas,” said Satish, a native of Mahabubabad city, who also saw to it that his paternal grandmother Podishetty Chandrakala’s eyes were donated to the LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad.
Satish Kumar is also a singer, songwriter, mimicry artist and music director. He won several district and state level awards for his service activities, and his name is recorded in the Telugu Book of Records and the Telangana Book of Records.