NRI TDP meeting with TDP Women Wing President Smt. Roja in Bay Area, California
NRI TDP Bay Area hosted an interactive question and answer session with Smt. Roja, President of Telugu Desam Party Women Wing, held at Swagat Indian Cuisine, Milpitas, California, on July 13, 2008. Within a short notice from NRI TDP Bay Area, several prominent NRIs and community members have gathered to welcome Smt. Roja. The venue was filled-up in no time in spite of it was being a Sunday evening and next day is a working day. There was a great excitement to meet and interact with Smt. Roja.
Mrs. Srilu Veligeti started the meeting by welcoming the attendees to the gathering. Srilu stated that we are fortunate to have Smt. Roja with us this evening, and invited Smt. Roja and her sister onto the stage. Srilu also invited Jayaram Komati, Satish Ambati, and Suresh Vuyyuru onto the stage.
Satish Ambati (NRI TDP) started the main meeting by thanking Roja for making time to be with us. Satish stated that with the inspiration from Chandra Babu Naidu (CBN) an year ago, NRI TDP Bay Area has been working diligently to serve people. He stated that recently NRI TDP Bay Area raised $18,000 towards contribution to NTR Trust, part of which TDP bought 6,000 blankets and distributed to needy people in Andhra Pradesh (AP). He said the current Congress government in AP is corrupt and not working towards helping people. Satish appealed the attendees that we need to help CBN and TDP to win the upcoming elections. He said Roja is a dynamic leader and praised her hard work and key role in TDP’s success. Further he said that though couple of leaders left TDP recently, it is not going to impact TDP as the followers and supports are there with TDP. Satish praised CBN for working hard and reaching to all people via “mee kosam” program. Satish invited ideas and suggestion from anyone via email or phone.
Suresh Vuyyuru (NRI TDP National Committee Member) speaking at this meeting suggested that each of the NRIs should consider doing some free service to the villages from where they have come. Suresh mentioned that NRI TDP Bay Area decided to financially help 20 aspiring college kids to get through engineering degree education in India. Also, to help the NRI’s in the Bay Area, the NRI TDP is in the process of providing a free Financial Consulting services. Suresh appealed the attendees to come forward with the ideas, suggestions and how they could help TDP. Suresh thanked Roja for making time to attend this meeting.
Speaking at this occasion, Jayaram Komati (NRI TDP National Committee Member and TANA President-Elect) thanked Roja for taking time and interest in meeting with the NRI in the Bay Area, and offering an opportunity to interact. Jayaram said that the meeting has intellectual feel and requested the audience to provide ideas and suggestions to improve general political situation in AP, and the economical growth of AP and India. Jayaram remembered CBN’s visit provided a great motivation to NRI TDP Bay Area members to work towards providing services to needy people. He reported that NRI TDP has national committee and regional committees and general membership of over 3500 people so far. He stated that we have natural built-in interest in India and AP and we should take possible roles in contributing to the society and exercise NRIs voice. He said CBN is a dedicated public servant with a clear goal to help people and country. He praised Roja for her key role in TDPs progress.
Smt. Roja said that she is happy for being part of the meeting and thanked the hosts and the attendees for the opportunity. She mentioned that she has been touring US and met with a large number of supporters of TDP through out US. She stated that Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) and CBN have promoted respect and greatness of Telugu people and culture through out the world. With their hard work, today, Telugus are receiving a great recognition for their work and culture. Roja stated that CBN is a good administrator with a great motivation to help the people. She said that during the last elections Congress came to power using false promises. She said the living conditions have not improved in last four years of Congress ruling, and further she stated that the suicides by farmers have been continuing due to poor financials. She alleged that the Congress government is encouraging Belt Shops for liquor in villages and streets by which the people are getting addicted to alcohol and ruining their lives. She said that TDP demands that the government regulate and have a tight control on the liquor shop to prevent and./or limit the consumption of alcohol by people. Roja also alleged that there is not enough protection to the people from atrocities and other violence. Roja reported that TDP is working hard on inspiring people on the current political conditions. She said that TDP is serving people by providing blood bank, NTR trust schools, medical camps, etc. Commenting on the people who left TDP recently, she said that it will not impact the party as the members and followers are with the party. She appealed all NRIs to help provide needed services to the villages back home. Also, she appealed the attendees to educate the people back home about TDP so that they will vote TDP to power in next elections.
The attendees paid close attention to the speeches and responded with applauses when the speakers made key comments. As soon as the forum opened up for Questions and Answers with Roja, the attendees took the opportunity to ask several multi-disciplinarily questions related to education, TDP party goals, election situation, telangana demand, and national politics. Roja was very patient and understanding in answering the eagerly waiting audience. It was a very productive evening for both the guests and the attendees in which a great deal of information was exchanged in an informal atmosphere. With different question pouring in from the audience, there was a lot enthusiasm and great discussions till the end of the meeting. NRI TDP Bay Area thanked the attendees for making this meeting a great success. Jayaram Komati, Bhakta Balla, Suresh Vuyyuru, Satish Ambati and other members of NRI TDP have worked diligently in making the meeting arrangements.
