President Murmu launches PRASAD scheme at Bhadrachalam
She reached Rajahmundry in an IAF flight from Hyderabad and after landing at the airport she arrived at the helipad at Sarapaka BPL School in an IAF chopper.
Kothagudem: Tribal jataras like Sammakka Saralamma Jatara would strengthen the core values and the roots of the society, stated President Droupadi Murmu.
She stressed on the need for participation of women in all areas of development and more measures were needed for the economic self-reliance of tribal women and lauded the efforts being made by Telangana Vana Vasi Parishad in preserving tribal culture and traditions.
The President Murmu has on Wednesday visited Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam at Bhadrachalam in the district and offered prayers to the presiding deities. She laid the foundation stone for works under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme to be implemented with funds worth Rs 41.38 crore.
Later inaugurated Ekalavya Model Residential Schools at Mahabubabad and Asifabad virtually and addressed Sammakka Saralamma Janjathi Pujari Sammelan organised by Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad.
The President started her address by greeting the gathering in Telugu, reading poetic lines from the poem ‘Na Telangana koti Ratanala Veena’ penned by Dasaradhi Krishnamacharyulu and referring to the history of the Bhadradri Temple.
Murmu said that during her first visit to Telangana, she got an opportunity to pray for the welfare of the people of the country in the temples. She explained that the PRASAD scheme aimed at infrastructure development would help to boost temple tourism, attracting domestic and international tourists.
Employment opportunities for the local people would improve through the development of tourism besides enhancing the spiritual and cultural significance of the pilgrim centres, she said adding that the PRASAD scheme should be taken further.
The President urged the students to focus on education, after completing their education and achieving self-reliance, they should contribute to the progress of the society. The responsibility of progress of the society not only rests on the governments but it was everyone’s duty.
Ekalavya Model Schools cater to the needs of students from tribal and remote areas and provide better education. The students of today’s generation were the future citizens of India and the future of the country depends on them, the President noted.
Women Child and Tribal Welfare Minister Satyavati Rathod said the State government has taken measures for tribal welfare. Steps have been taken for tribal education and preservation of tribal cultural traditions. As many as 23 Ekalavya Schools were running in the State.
Telangana government established 33 Gurukul Schools for girls. There were 183 Gurukul Schools, 332 Ashram Schools and 24 mini Gurukuls in the State. The government was providing Rs 20 lakhs assistance through Ambedkar Overseas Education Scheme to those studying abroad.
Medaram and Nagoba Jataras have been recognised as State fairs. As many as 3146 tribal habitations were upgraded into panchayats to empower the tribal population. Medical colleges were being set up in remote areas, Rathod explained.
Through the Arogya Lakshmi scheme, nutritious food was being provided to pregnant and lactating women and measures were being taken to build a healthy society through the KCR Nutrition Kits, the minister added.
Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, union Minister for Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar, MPs Vaddiraju Ravichandra and Maloth Kavitha, MLC Tata Madhusudhan, MLAs Rega Kantha Rao and P Veeraiah, TSWREIS Secretary D Ronald Rose, DIG Nagi Reddy, district Collector Anudeep Durishetty, Superintendent of Police Dr. Vineeth G and ITDA PO P Gautham were present.
