HYDERABAD: Students who pursued their Intermediate education in Telugu medium and topped in their respective streams were given cash awards at a programme organised by Telugu Akademi here. The awards are being given for the last 10 years.

The first rankers in each stream were given cash prize of Rs. 5,116 and a merit certificate while the second rankers were given cash prize of Rs. 4,116 and a merit certificate. The toppers were D. Narsaiah (MPC), Kakatiya Junior College, Nizamabad; K. Dhanunjaya Rao (MEC), A.P. Residential Junior College, Venkatagiri; U. Swati (CEC), Siddarth Junior College, Chennaraopet, Warangal; K. Bhanuprasada Rao (HEC), Saikirti Junior College, Banswada and M. Vijayalakshmi of Nagarjuna Junior College, Kadapa and G. Manvita of Sri Vikas Junor College, Hanmakonda in the Bi.P.C. stream.

The second rankers included R. Charankanth (BiPC), Shankari Junior College, Nizamabad; B. Sunil Kumar (MEC), A.P. Residential Junior College, Gairampalli, Chittoor; T. Sushma, Trinity Junior College, Karimnagar; S. Jyoti (HEC), Madhu Junior College, Vaira, Khammam and M. Jyoti of Alforce Junior College, Karimnagar and V. Ganesh of Alforce Junior College, Jagityal in the M.P.C. stream.

Awards were also given to students who scored highest marks choosing Telugu as second language. S. Aparna of Sri Krishnaveni Junior College, Kalwakurthy stood first in Telugu medium while M. Rajeshwari of S.V.J. Junior College, Kaviti, Srikakulam stood second. K. Nagendrababu of A.P.T.W.R Institute of Excellence, Bhadrachalam stood first in English medium while K. Vijaykanth of A.P.T.W.R Junior College of Excellence, Parvatipuram stood second in Telugu subject while studying in English medium. Gold medals were awarded to Uma Kuragayala and Neelima Govada for learning Telugu as second language in Telugu Akademi and standing first.

The awards were given away by Higher Education Minister, D. Sridhar Babu and Secondary Education Minister, D. Manikya Varaprasada Rao. The BIE Secretary, G. Balaramaiah and Director of Intermediate Education, Luv Agarawal were also present.