Seminar on
Quest for Telangana Development: Perspectives & Challenges
Organized by
Telangana Development
Forum (TDF) DC Chapter
at Washington D.C. , Minerva Hotel Chantilly
If there were any lingering doubts about the gross injustice done to the region of Telangana, they were put to rest at this meeting! The TDF lecture circuit held at Washington DC provided a great platform for the audience to ponder on the issues being faced by the people of Telangana and their role in paving a better future for the region of Telangana. The meeting was aimed at creating awareness about the difficulties faced by Telangana as a whole and the need for separate statehood. The 100+ audience mood went somber when presented with the factual details of the injustice meted out to them. The sombering mood gave way to a new resolve, one that could eventually pave way for a separate state of Telangana.
The meeting was kicked off with a detailed presentation by Mr.Vidya Sagar Rao.
The presentation highlighted the discrimination being faced by the region of Telangana in the unified state of Andhra Pradesh. He asserted that political bias and lack of interest in developing the region of Telangana was to blame for the current state of affairs. He continued to say that inspite of having sufficient irrigation resources, the people of Telangana have no control over them, thereby having to depend on the mercy of politicians who historically have been denying them what they rightfully own. The fact that farmers are losing lives over this issue does not seem to affect decisions made by biased politicians. Mr. Rao urged the audience to participate in the fight towards achieving a separate state, wherein these problems will not exist. The amicable and matter of fact oratory of Mr.Rao struck a chord with the audience. His presentation included the contentious “Polavaram dam issue”. A wry smile on the audience face said it all!
Prof. Harinath, the second speaker at this meeting spoke about how Andhra was separated from the former Madras State and “merged” with the Hyderabad state, thus starting a wave of attrition of Telangana’s resources. His discussion was backed by figures that were very revealing, leaving many to wonder about why they paid the cost of this merge.
Mr. Madusudhan Reddy, president TDF, urged the audience to rise and help the cause of Telangana. An avid writer, he spoke in length about the beauty of our language and culture. He reminded the audience to protect and cherish these very things of Telangana that makes us unique. On the same note, he added that we need to be wary of cultural intrusion by a biased media controlled by the people of Andhra.
Mr.Sudhir Kodati urged the NRI’s to get involved in the TDF cause and gave pointers on how we all could make a difference to the Telangana movement. He implored the NRI’s to question Telangana politicians if they were to go back on their said promises. Ravi Mayreddy TDF city chapters’ coordinator has requested members to join TDF and also actively associate with the city chapter activities.
A session of Q&A answers followed the main event. The audience put forth their views and questions to the speakers. Questions ranging from “Globalization” to Naxal problems were answered by the speakers to the full satisfaction of the audience. Towards the end of the meeting, the video “Telangana Dhoom Dham” was shown which was well received among the audience.
The meeting proved to be a great success in bringing the attention of the audience to issues being faced by Telanganites. There was great enthusiasm in the audience in supporting the cause of statehood and making efforts to make Telangana a success story after the state formation. The meeting would not have been such a huge success but for the able organization of the Washington Chapter TDF coordinators Rajesh Madireddy, Kalyan Muddasani, Pratap Singireddy , Rajesh Badam, Chaitanya Kommdi and the meticulous coordination of Mr.Sudhir Kodtati. A special mention should made of Swetha Muddasani who took great care to make the meeting such a huge success.
TDF – DC chapter responded enthusiastically to the idea of celebrating Bathukamma in September, along with all other city chapters.