TeNA holds Prof. BJ Rao remembrance meet

A meeting was organized by Telangana NRI Association, in New Jersey on this Sunday, to remember and pay homage to the Telangana stalwart, Prof. Biyyala Janardhana Rao who passed away at a very young age on Feb 27th, 2002. Prof. Biyyala Janardhana Rao was an academician and activist who sowed the seeds of Telangana movement and spent whole of his life working for the development and emancipation of the underprivileged adivasis. The meeting was attended by Telangana NRIs who have been active in the Telangana statehood struggle and development activities post Telangana formation.

Prof Revathy from Center for Economic and Social Studies was invited as the main speaker on the occasion. Murali chintalapani, Sravant, Raj Sheelam, Ravi Puskur, Jamuna Puskur from TDF, Ravi Mayreddy, TeNA ex-chairman, Surender Maddi and Anita Koramangala close associates of Prof. B. Janardhana Rao and his children Sisir and Varsha were present at the occasion along with several others.

The meeting started with Vidya, a TeNA member singing a song remembering Prof. BJR which was well received by the audience in an heartfelt way. Narayanaswamy Venkatayogi, TeNA chairman, presided the meeting, remembered his moments with Prof. BJR and said that, Prof. BJR will remain in our hearts forever and though his dream of separate statehood for Telangana is achieved many of his aspirations for which he dedicated his life for still remain unaccomplished, particularly the development of Telangana and development and justice to adivasis. "The fact that Polavaram project, that displaces hundreds of Adivasi villages, is being built unquestioned and unopposed hurts', he said.

Murali Chintalapani, Rav Mayreddy, Raj Sheelam, Ravi Dhannapaneni, Sravant and Surender Maddi shared their acquaintance and experiences with Prof. BJR when he visited US in 2000 to spread the consciousness about Telangana and ignite the struggle for separate statehood and said that striving hard for distributed and decentralized development of Telangana would be the greatest tribute to him. Sisir speaking on the occasion said that he is realizing the importance and significance of his father and his work as time passes by and as he gained experience and maturity and it is indeed very inspiring and that he is proud to be his son.

Varsha spoke with an emotional tone and tear-filled eyes that she was highly inspired by her father and he continues to inspire her and that she would do her best to carry forward his baton of social service. Prof Revathy delivering the main speech said the Telangana is moving forward in the path of development though there are challenges and teething troubles. She said the Govt is undertaking developmental activities and needs to take into confidence the intellectuals and persons who strived hard for the state of Telangana. She also spoke about women empowerment, rural schools, education, poverty, underdevelopment and the responsibility that lies with all of us to build a new golden Telangana which would be apt tribute to Prof BJR.

The audience participated with vigor and enthusiasm in the discussion. Varsha concluded the meeting with vote of thanks and special thanks to Sravanth for facilitating the meeting and Telangana NRI Association for organizing it.