HYDERABAD: A conference of Telugu Associations from across the country and different parts of the globe has decided to hold World Telugu Conference coinciding with `Pravasi Bharathiya Divas' in the second week of January 2006.

The Conference would be held in Hyderabad. The meeting convened by Department of Culture and attended by Telugu association representatives from Tanzania, Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai also, resolved on Saturday to work on mutual exchange of facilities including inter-State cultural exchange programmes apart from identification and promotion of young Telugu talent from outside the State.

YSR promises all help

Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy assured the delegates all possible support in preserving and propagating Telugu culture, language and identity. In his brief address, he spoke about the visible presence of Telugus in every part of the country and also across the globe.

November 1 celebrations

Minister for Sports and Culture M. Satyanarayana Rao, said the Government was ready to depute teachers, `pujaris' and cultural troupes to help the Telugus abroad. Delegates from some countries like Malaysia had complained about the dearth of Telugu teachers for schools and priests for temples there. Mr. Rao lamented at the way Telugu history, culture, art and language was being neglected under the western influence and urged delegates to spare no efforts in reversing the tide.

The delegates agreed on celebrating the Telugu festivals of `Ugadi' and `Sankranti' along with Andhra Pradesh Formation Day on November 1 in a befitting fashion wherever they happen to be.

Three-day programmes aimed at showcasing the talent of Telugus living outside the State would be held at regular intervals.

Associations were requested to register themselves with the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation to avail special concessions to members visiting the State.

Following a suggestion on more interaction and exchange of information, the need to hyperlink the Culture Department website with those of different associations was accepted.

Finance Minister K. Rosaiah, Andhra Pradesh State Cultural Council Chairman Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Director of Culture Department Arja Srikanth, veteran film actor, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and others participated in the conference. Representatives of Telugu associations from Goa, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bangalore, Orissa, New Delhi and others were also present.

Speaking at the 13th anniversary celebrations of World Telugu Federation here on Saturday, Finance Minister Rosaiah lauded the sweetness of Telugu as unparalleled.

He felicitated film star, Sai Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Telugu University, A. Manjulatha, and a stage artiste, Lakshmi Thulasi.

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