Foster unity, Telugus in Karnataka told

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minster Rajasekhara Reddy, Finance Minister Rosaiah take part in `Ugadi Utsavaalu'

FOR BETTER RELATIONS: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (centre), Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister K. Rosaiah (left), and convenor, World Telugu Federation, J.S. Reddy, at the Karnataka Telugu Federation's 2006 `Ugadi Utsavaalu' in Bangalore on Monday. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE: For Telugus living in Karnataka, particularly in Bangalore, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's visit on Monday was an occasion to reinforce the relationship between the two States.

Mr. Reddy himself stressed on that point as he urged the Telugu-speaking people to foster unity and maintain the cordial relationship being enjoyed by the two States.

Participating in a function organised by the Karnataka Telugu Federation, Mr. Reddy said even history revealed that Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh had a good relationship.

Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagar empire, though a Kannadiga, strived for the welfare of the Telugus.

"We should continue to maintain this relationship," Mr. Reddy said.

The federation had arranged the function to honour nine people in various fields with Vemana Memorial Award as part of the "Ugadi Utsavaalu" here.

Mr. Reddy said, "Wherever we are, we should live in unity and maintain our culture, then only we can achieve success and the country can progress." He said Andhra Pradesh had given priority to complete the ongoing irrigation projects to help farmers. Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister K. Rosaiah, in his address, said there was a proposal to set up a department to look after the affairs of people from Andhra Pradesh living abroad.

Mr. Reddy would shortly visit Dubai and discuss with the Sultanate of United Arab Emirates about the problems being faced by Telugus living there.

Courtesy: The Hindu