Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh – Anantapur stands at a pivotal moment in its history. The Rural Development Trust (RDT) – an organisation that has been the engine of progress and dignity in rural Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for over five decades – is now at risk. The non-renewal of its FCRA licence threatens to dismantle one of the country’s most impactful legacies of community upliftment.
Established in 1969, RDT has become a symbol of deep, lasting social change. Its initiatives span healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, ecology, disability inclusion, and rural livelihoods—impacting over 4.5 lakh families in 3,906 villages.
The numbers reflect the scale of its commitment:
Healthcare Impact:
10,046,084 patients treated across RDT hospitals
8.5 lakh outpatients annually
1,80,000 safe deliveries
4,900 HIV-positive individuals under care
26 bone marrow transplants for children with thalassemia
691 healthcare professionals and 37 DNB residents
Rural Development Achievements:
90,000 houses built for the underprivileged
5,000 water bodies constructed to rejuvenate groundwater
50,000+ farmers supported through irrigation systems
1.75 crore trees planted
12 lakh fruit-bearing plants distributed for nutrition and income
Education & Inclusion:
2,697 higher education scholarships since 2004
67% graduate employment rate
100% school enrolment and retention in tribal groups like the Chenchus
40,000+ bicycles distributed
Anantapur’s youth representing India in cricket and the Paralympics
Amid this crisis, Anil Kumar, founder of Discover Ananthapuram, issued a deeply moving WhatsApp message that has struck a chord with thousands:
“No other NGO in India has reshaped a backward region like RDT has. During COVID alone, they saved over a thousand lives. But their impact goes far beyond that—they have rebuilt Anantapur’s identity. They’ve made it a hub of health, education, women’s strength, and agricultural revival.”
He continued:
“RDT is not just an NGO – it’s a force of transformation. It is the lifeline of Anantapur. For 55 years, it has brought hope where there was despair. We are forever grateful to the people of Spain who supported this journey. Now, it’s up to us to protect it. We cannot allow this beacon to fade.”
As the fate of RDT hangs in the balance, one message echoes from every village, school, and hospital it has touched:
#SaveRDT – Because Ananthapuram’s Future Depends on It
