Andhra Pradesh - Nalgonda   

Sarpanch finds a novel way to impress Jana Reddy

S. Ramu

Appeals to him to solve drinking water and power problems

NALGONDA: The poverty-stricken Kuchela offers beaten paddy, atukulu, in local parlance, to his childhood friend Krishna in the epic Mahabharata. Completely floored by the poor Brahmin's gesture, Krishna blesses him with wealth and health.

Taking cue from Kuchela, the sarpanch of Alagadapa near Miryalaguda, Venepalli Pandu Ranga Rao, presented atukulu to none other than Home Minister K.Jana Reddy when he visited his village as part of Praja Patham programme on Tuesday.

Of rabbits and timidity

Going a step further, he also presented him a pair of rabbits to "tell him symbolically that rural poor are as timid as these mammals and the powers-that-be must have mercy on them."

The Minister asked Mr. Rao why he was presenting rabbits and atukulu and accepted them after a convincing answer given by him. "Sir, we are as timid and innocent as rabbits. When you see these rabbits in your home, you must remember us. Atukulu are being offered in tune with the Indian culture," Mr. Rao said.

To give a traditional colour to his innovative gesture, Mr. Rao packed atukulu in special cloths, called mutaka panche, and offered it to the Home Minister, Zilla Parishad chairperson Keetha Laxmamma, Miryalaguda MLA Julakanti Ranga Reddy and other officials. He provided water for the guests in earthen pots instead of water bottles.

"In the absence of sufficient powers and funds, I failed to perform well as Sarpanch. Sometimes I feel that I am a misfit to this post since I am unable to cater to the minimum needs of my people who reposed tremendous faith on me," Mr. Rao told The Hindu .

He asked the Home Minister to solve the drinking water and power problems without further delay. Mr. Rao submitted a 28-page memorandum with 22 demands to Mr. Jana Reddy.

The Home Minister assured the villagers that Krishna water would be provided to his village and all other problems would be attended in a phased manner.

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Sarpanch finds a novel way to impress Jana Reddy

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