IIT-H Gold Medallist Surprises Mother With Birthday Poster at Sangareddy Convocation

An M.Tech graduate and gold medallist surprised his mother by displaying a "Happy Birthday Amma" poster during the 15th convocation ceremony at the IIT-Hyderabad campus in Sangareddy on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Panaganti Gunashekhar Reddy, who won the institute gold medal for excellence in academics and co-curricular activities in post-graduation, pulled out the poster just before receiving his award.

The gesture surprised his mother, Dharma Geetha, and other family members who were present in the auditorium. It also moved the audience and dignitaries on the dais, which included Bharatanatyam exponent Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, Chairman of the Board of Studies BVR Mohan Reddy, and Director of IIT-H Prof. BS Murty.

Because his mother is a lover of classical dance, Reddy requested Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam to sign an autograph on the poster. He then presented the signed poster to his mother, who was sitting in the audience. Dharma Geetha became emotional, hugging and kissing her son as the auditorium watched.

Reddy's family, originally from Nagaram in Suryapet district, settled in Hyderabad two decades ago. Dharma Geetha worked as the head of the department of Commerce at Saint Paul’s College. Reddy explained that his mother had been feeling lonely since his father passed away in November last year due to a cardiac arrest. He credited his mother for supporting his student life and making sacrifices as the backbone of the family.

The family's joy was further amplified by Reddy securing a job package of Rs 50 lakh per annum with a company in Japan. Although his sister is settled in the United States, Reddy stated his ultimate goal is to return to India and build his startup, "cyberfarms," into a major company.