The first Global Telangana Convention opened in Dallas, showcasing the rich culture of the land amidst thousands of people who descended at the SLPS Convention centre from different parts of the world including India.
True to its image the event focused on the development issues related to the region and the culture than political issues that are quite common on such platforms.
There was hope of seeing a better Telangana and commitment to contribute to its growth with an inclusive approach going by the discussions at the venue.
Project to help farmers
The Jai Kisan project launched at the convention to help the distressed farming community was the cynosure of all eyes and it reflected the Telugus concern for the farmers whose neglect was the focal point of the entire Telangana agitation.
Contributions poured in from everyone and lot of city units of TDF in USA pledged monetary support to the project apart from individuals, said Vijay Pitta, Convenor of the event and TDF USA Vice President.
“It is not just going down the memory lane and remembering our villages but the conference reinforced the thought of seeing more prosperous Telangana villages and that can be achieved only through empowering our farmers”, said Praveen Kesireddy, General Secretary of TDF USA.
The project proposes to support 225 farmers for organic farming — 50 each in Khammam, Warangal and Nalgonda and 75 in Mahabubnagar. It would be extended soon to Karimnagar.
Unlike other Telugu organisations in the USA that focus on infusing glamour element inviting film stars, the TDF event preferred to play down the glamour aspect.
“Ours is a serious forum and we prefer to discuss serious political, administrative and developmental issues,” said Vishweshwar Kalavala, TDF USA President.
TRS Parliamentary Party leader, A.P. Jithender Reddy; TPCC President, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy; MLAs D.K. Aruna, Teegala Krishna Reddy, T. Rammohan Reddy, Sampath, N.Padma Reddy and former Parliament members, Madhu Yashki Goud and Atmacharan Reddy were among who interacted with the participants.
Mr Jithender Reddy promised to take up the suggestion with the Chief Minister, K. Chandra Shekar Rao that the Government should conduct the Pravasiya Telangana Diwas to bring all Telangana associations on a common platform.
Mr. Uttam Reddy and other Congress MLAs said organisations like TDF should play a watchdog role for protection of democracy in the State. They said due credit should be given to Sonia Gandhi at all Telangana events given her decisive role in the formation of Telangana.
