Ugadi Festival 2016 began at Raj Bhavan here on Friday evening with Governor ESL Narasimhan and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhr Rao lighting the lamp. The Governor couple felicitated KCR and his wife Shobha with shawls on the occasion. Earlier, Narasimhan and first lady Vimala Narasimhan invited the guests to Durmukhi Nama Ugadi celebrations that were held in a grand manner. IT Minister KT Rama Rao came with his spouse Shailima and interacted with former union minister and noted Telugu Hero Chiranjeevi and his spouse Surekha.
Later speaking on the occasion, KCR said that Durmukhi Nama Ugadi will bless people with better future and extended greetings to all Telugu people in two states and across the world. It is good to hear that Jyothish experts predicted that timely rains will route out drought and bring cheer, he quipped. The Chief Minister also hoped that Ugadi festival will bring cheer, happiness, health and wealth to the people. KCR expressed pleasure as the Governor is conducting Ugadi celebrations.
Talasani Srinivas Yadav also interacted with Chiranjeevi. Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Deputy Chief Ministers Kadiam Srihari and Mahamood Ali, Council Chairman Swamy Goud, Home Minister N Narsihma Reddy, T Harish Rao, Talasani Srinivas Yadav and AP Finance Minister Y Ramakrishnudu, other ministers from two Telugu States, Subbirami Reddy, former Chief Minister Nadendla Bhaskar Rao, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and other who is who of business, film industry and officials were present.
Later they witnessed a sumptuous musical extravaganza followed by cultural programs that enthralled all. (NSS)