Chief Minister K. Rosaiah on Thursday inaugurated the centenary celebrations of Tenali Municipality, often taking a walk down memory lane and remembering the glorious tryst the town had with the literary, social and political movements.
Mr. Rosaiah unveiled the centenary pylon, inaugurated the statue of Tenali Ramakrishna in front of the municipal office and laid the foundation stone for a new market complex to be built with a cost of Rs.6 crore. The Chief Minister was felicitated in a special civic reception by ministers, MLAs, councillors and personalities of the town.
On his maiden visit to Tenali, which he claimed as his birth place, Mr. Rosaiah appeared modest and reminisced of his younger days at the public meeting held at specially erected pandal opposite Municipal Office, ‘when he walked through lanes and by-lanes of the town on foot.’ The town was known as a cradle of drama particularly Harikatha, when organisers used to come calling to Tenali and invite Harikatha artistes.
Complimenting Deputy Speaker and local MLA Nadendla Manohar for his coordinated approach towards development of the town, Mr. Rosaiah underlined the importance of planned development. He gave his nod for undertaking a UGD scheme at a cost of Rs.100 crores with Centre’s assistance. The narrow roads needed to be widened, he said, and sought the support of the people.
Mr. Rosaiah often remembered late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and reiterated that it would be the primary responsibility of the Government to continue the welfare schemes launched by YSR, particularly Rajiv Arogyasri and SHG loans aimed at women empowerment.
The Chief Minister also reminded the audience of the historical role played by the freedom fighters hailing from Tenali and the seven martyrs who have laid down life for freedom.
The town was clearly in a festive mood on Thursday. The main lanes were lit up and a vibrant cultural fiesta welcomed the gathering. Cultural troupes drawn from various districts, including the koya dance troupes from Khammam, chakke bhajana from Prakasam and guravaiahulu from Tenali added colour to the celebrations. Students too performed a series of cultural programmes.
Union Minister of State for Textile P. Lakshmi, M.P R. Sambasiva Rao, Ministers P.Subhash Chandra Bose, K. Lakshminarayana, D.M. Vara Prasad, M. Venkata Ramana, G. venkat Reddy were present. Municipal Chairperson D. Seethamahalakshmi, District Collector B. Ramajaneyulu, IG KRM Kishore Kumar and S.P Shankha Brata Bagchi were also present.
