Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao was accorded a rousing welcome by the residents of his native village — Naagaram in Konaraopeta mandal in the district — on Saturday.
Mr. Vidyasagar Rao, accompanied by his family members, made the maiden visit after becoming Governor to his native place on Saturday to participate in the laying of foundation stone for the modernization of Kodanda Ramalayam temple on the hillocks of the village. The project is being taken up with an estimated outlay of ₹36 lakh, the amount has been donated by Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam from its common good funds.
The Governor also inaugurated the employment training centre set up in the village by GMR Foundation and others to train unemployed youth in various employment opportunities.
Community projects
He also participated in the inauguration of community bores and pumps taken up by the NTPC Ramagundam and then garlanded the statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar. He also planted saplings. The villagers accorded a tumultuous welcome to the Maharashtra Governor amid drum beats and dances.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vidyasagar Rao recollected his association with all the villagers and their family members. He said that he would like to stay in his native village after the completion of his governor’s term and if Prime Minister Narendra Modi allowed him.
Noting that the villages were still not developed as expected he called upon the people’s representatives to strive for the development of the villages cutting across party lines.
Minister for Endowments A. Indrakaran Reddy said that the Maharashtra Governor played a crucial role in reaching an agreement on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation project on the river Godavari. The Minister said that the Yadadri temple renovation works would be completed by March next year and added that Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam in Vemulawada would be developed at a cost of ₹400 crore and was waiting for permissions from Shringeri Peetam.
Services lauded
Minister for Finance and Civil Supplies Eatala Rajender lauded the services of GMR Educational Trust, Prathima Foundation and Jeeyar Educational Trust for setting up employment training centre in the village. He also urged the Maharashtra Governor to invite the industrialists from Maharashtra to invest in erstwhile Karimnagar district.
Member of Parliament from Karimnagar B. Vinod Kumar recollected the role played by Mr. Vidyasagar Rao in the passage of AP Reorganisation Act with the support of the BJP. Vemulawada legislator Ch. Ramesh Babu, TSCAB chairman K Ravinder Rao, Collector D. Krishna Bhaskar and others were present.