Stipends to grants: KCR opens government’s purse strings to woo Brahmins

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao opened his government’s purse strings to woo the Brahmin community in Telangana.

From stipends to temple renovation, KCR has gone all out to woo the Brahmin community in the state.

KCR announced a slew of schemes after inaugurating Telangana Brahmin Sadan, which is built for the first time in the country. The Sadan is the first of its kind for the welfare of the Brahmin community in the country. Telangana set an example for the country in the welfare of Brahmins in all fields.

The Sadan is built under the auspices of the Brahmin Welfare Parishad at Gopanapalli in Hyderabad. CM met Seers who came from across the country. On the occasion, Seers presented the crown to CM and felicitated him with shawls. They chanted mantras and blew the holy conch.

KCR participated in Chandiyagam, Sudarshanayagam, and Vastupuja programs on the premises. Later, he inaugurated the Kalyana Mandapam.

KCR welcomed the priests who came from Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Kshetras.

“Elders say that...anyone who acquires Brahman knowledge attains Brahminhood. Vipras are the ones who give Vedic Vajmaya to the world. Brahmins aim is Universal welfare. Loka Samasta Sukhinobhavantu (well-being of all mankind) is the ideal of life spoken by Brahmins,” he said.

KCR said the Telangana government is working with a humane approach to support poorer sections.

“Many of the Brahmins are poor. The government felt it is its responsibility to support them. 'Telangana Brahmin Welfare Parishad' was constituted by Telangana Government on 1st February 2017. We allocate Rs 100 crore to 'Brahman Parishad' every year,” he said.

KCR said various welfare schemes are being implemented with these funds. “So far 780 students have been supported through 'Vivekananda Scholarship' to study abroad. BEST (Brahmin Empowerment Scheme of Telangana) is being implemented for the livelihood of poor Brahmins. Under this scheme, the government is providing a maximum grant of Rs.5 lakh in investment assistance. The government has spent Rs. 150 crore for this till now,” he said.

He said the Telangana government set a new trend by constructing a wonderful 'Brahmin Welfare Sadan' at a cost of Rs.12 crore on a sprawling 9 acres of land in Hyderabad.

“Telangana government was the first government in the country to build a 'Brahman Sadan' as a spiritual, religious, and cultural center. This Brahmin Sadan is the guide and center for conducting spiritual, religious, and Vedic activities. Sadan provides accommodation for seers, priests, and religious leaders who visit the state,” he said.

He said Kalyana Mandapam serves as a platform for free marriages of poor Brahmins. “Requested priests from Sadan to perform marriages and other functions free of cost to the poor persons at their houses. A comprehensive library should be established that houses Vedams, temple constructions, rules of Agamashastra, etc. Digital videos related to Vedic programs should be made available in this library<,” he said.

KCR said Brahmana Sadan should function like a repository of Vedic knowledge, the center of spiritual awareness, and a platform for the poetic prophecies of India, Bhagavata, and Ramayana.

“The government constructed a Brahmin Parishad building in Suryapet on an acre of land donated by Dr. A. Ramaiah. I am happy to announce that it will be launched soon. Telangana government is also constructing Brahmin buildings in Khammam, Madhira, and Beachupally area,” he said.

“In the name of Mahamahopadhyay Kolachalam Mallinatha Suri, who explained the great poet Kalidasa's literary excellence to the world with his life-giving remarks, I am announcing that the Telangana Government will start a Sanskrit University in Kolcharam, Medak district, the birthplace of that great man.”

He announced the increase in monthly stipend to Vedic scholars by the Brahmin Parishad from Rs.2,500 to Rs.5,000. “Eligible age for receiving this allowance is reduced from 75 years to 65 years. Presently the Dhupadipa Naivedya scheme applies to 3,645 temples in the state. We will extend the Dhupadipa Naivedhyam scheme to another 2,796 temples across the state. With this, 6,441 temples in the state will receive maintenance expenses under the Dhupadipa Naivedhya scheme,” he said.

KCR said the government is providing Rs.6, 000 per month to the priests for the maintenance of the temples under the Dhupadipa Naivedhyam Scheme. “Now, it has been increased to Rs.10, 000. Rs.2 lakh will be given for the maintenance of Vedic schools as an annual grant from now on. The government will also decide on a fee reimbursement scheme for Brahmin students studying in prestigious institutes like IIT and IIM. Similarly, we are assured that the problems of hereditary priests will be discussed and resolved soon in the cabinet,” he said.