Hundreds of Telangana NRIs gathered in four major cities in the USA to express their solidarity with the Telangana March to be held on September 30 in Hyderabad.
Solidarity rallies were held based on a program taken up by TeNA (Telangana NRI association, USA) in Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia and New Brunswick New Jersey. These solidarity rallies turned out to be grand success, participated by hundreds of NRIs in their respective towns, who raised their voice in unison and echoed their unwavering support for the Telangana March ‘Chalo Hyderabad’. They demanded that the Indian government stand by the statement of its Home Minister on December 9, 2009 that the process to form Telangana State would be initiated.
In New Jersey, the support rally was organized by TeNA and New Jersey Telangana Association. Responding to the call given by TeNA and NJTA, Telangana NRIs began to gather in Buccleuch Park in the city of New Brunswick. There were flags with Telangana State map printed on them fluttering, placards with demands for Telangana State and in support of the September 30 March written on them and a huge banner with glaring letters in support of Telangana March.
All the NRIs were in upbeat mood with a lot of enthusiasm and commitment for the cause of Telangana. There were Telangana women and children and senior citizens in the rally. The banner was held in the front by Vidya Venkatayogi and Srinivas Kompally, who led the procession raising slogans in support of the Telangana March. The procession went on for about 30 minutes in which every TNRI participated with vigor and showed their active support for people of Telangana fighting for the statehood for Telangana. Several slogans were raised in support of the just democratic movement of people of Telangana.
After the procession, the TNRIs gathered in a circle and raised slogans in support of the Telangana march. They paid homage to Konda Laxman Bapuji, a great leader of Telangana and freedom fighter, who passed away at the age of 97 a few days back. Bapuji fought actively until his last breath for statehood for Telangana and was an integral part of the Telangana people’s movement. The TNRIs felt sad that he passed away without having realized his dream of state of Telangana. Everyone said in one voice ‘Johar Konda Laxman Bapuji’! TeNA and NJTA representatives expressed their opinions and sent message to the people of Telangana to make the Telangana March a huge success and continue the struggle until statehood for Telangana is achieved.
They demanded that the AP Government not to take repressive actions against the Telangana march and let the march continue peacefully. They also demanded that Indian Government to pass a Bill for statehood for Telangana in Parliament immediately. They expressed solidarity to the democratic movement of Telangana people for a justified cause.
Similar processions were taken out in Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia. The TNRI solidarity marches coordinated and organized by TeNA were a grand success and sent a strong unified message to the people of Telangana! (NSS)