Former Vijayawada MP and social worker Chennupati Vidya passed away here in the early hours of Saturday. She was 84.
Her brother Vijayam said she died of a massive heart attack. She is survived by four children — three daughters Rashmi, Keerthy and Deeksha, and a son Vazeer.
She was twice-elected to Lok Sabha from Vijayawada on Congress ticket in 1980 and 1989. After making an exit from active politics, Ms. Vidya founded Vasavya Mahila Mandali, an NGO that focusses on addressing women issues trying to equip them with the wherewithal to be self-sufficient.
Born to social reformers Goparaju Ramachandra Rao, popular as Gora, and social activist Saraswathi Gora, she won the Jamnalal Bajaj Award in recognition of her services to women at the grass root level.
She was married to Chennupati Seshagiri Rao, a prominent transport operator in this region, who was a pillar of support to her in realising her endeavours for as long as he lived.
Besides trying to address pressing health issues such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and maternal and infant deaths, through VMM, she diversified into skill development to make the needy women economically independent.
The last rites would be performed on Sunday evening, said her family members.