Telangana a fruit of peaceful protests inspired by Gandhi: KCR

Hyderabad: On the occasion of the 153rd birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, Telangana Chief Minister inaugurated a statue of Gandhi at the Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad.

The 16-feet tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a meditating position was inaugurated on Sunday. KCR paid floral tributes on the occasion and said, "The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who ignited the people of the country to strive towards achieving the goal during the freedom movement is a role model for all times."

Drawing parallels between Gandhi's non-violent struggles against the British and the Gandhi Hospital staff's fight against Covid-19, KCR talked about the significance of Gandhi Hospital where the statue is installed. "When the state was hit by Covid-19, it was the brave health system of Gandhi Hospital which fought the pandemic. At a time when private hospitals were rejecting patients, Gandhi Hospital fought bravely," he said.

He appreciated Telangana health minister Harish Rao and the medical staff for their efforts. He also appreciated animal husbandry minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav and his team for installing the statue at the hospital.

"Along with our country, Gandhi is a great person who is worshiped all over the world," said KCR and talked about how Gandhi was revered by world leaders like Martin Luther King and former American President Barack Obama and world organisations like the United Nations.

KCR said Telangana state was achieved as a result of the peaceful protest inspired by the Gandhian methods of protest. He said even programmes like Palle Pragathi, Pattana Pragathi were inspired by his principles. "Gandhi emphasised the principle of no discrimination. The Telangana government is also trying to ensure that all sections of society get equal opportunities, irrespective of parties and communities," he said.

He asked the people, particularly the intellectuals, to raise their voices against the happenings in the country aimed at dividing society.

Also, 2 October marks the 118th birth anniversary of the second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri. Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri's famous saying "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan," KCR said these days both soldiers and farmers of the country are being put through hardships with the Agnipath scheme and the farm laws.

Gandhi Jayanti at TS Legislative Assembly

Telangana Legislative Council chairman Gutta Sukhender Reddy, Assembly Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, State Planning Commission vice-chairman Boinapally Vinod Kumar, Government Whip N.S Prabhakar Rao, MLA Koneru Konappa, and others paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in front of his statue at Telangana Assembly premises.

Speaking on the occasion, Telangana Legislative Council chairman Gutta Sukhender Reddy said, "Mahatma Gandhi who sacrificed his life to bring freedom to the country has shown a path which has become a guide not only for our country but for the whole world. It is a matter of pride for our nation that his birthday is celebrated abroad."