When former chief minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy was at the helm of affairs in erstwhile combined state of Andhra Pradesh, he was a reflection of true Telugu culture all through the year.
He was a perfect embodiment of Telugu culture by sporting dhoti. Except when he was on a foreign tour, YSR used to sport dhoti always.
However, these days, one can hardly see any politician in Andhra Pradesh who sport dhoti. Out of 175 MLAs in the state assembly, only four members KE Krishna Murthy, Hanmanthraya Chowdary, K Appala Naidu and YSR Congress party MLA from Mydukuru S Raghurami Reddy, are attending in traditional attire.
Expressing concern over vanishing Telugu tradition and culture, Raghurami Reddy recalled that majority of Chief Ministers preferred dhoti.
“We should take a leaf out from Tamil Nadu, where the leaders adhere to their culture. At least, the Chief Minister should wear ‘dhoti’ on Ugadi festival day. It will send a good message to future generations,” he sought to advice.
He appealed to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to adorn dhoti, the traditional Telugu attire at least on the occasion of Ugadi, thereby emulating late YSR.
He reminded that except T Anjaiah, Kiran Kumar Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu all other Chief Ministers preferred dhotis.
Expressing concern over changing trends, he said the members, who adorn dhotis give respect to others and quoted examples of former Chief Ministers NT Rama Rao and YS Rajasekhar Reddy.
