Education as the Cornerstone of Empowerment, Says AP TDP Chief* *-Palla Srinivasa Rao*

by Sharma K.V. Editor

Guntur, September 20, 2025* — Andhra Pradesh State TDP president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao on Saturday inaugurated a newly constructed social welfare hostel near the B.R. Stadium in Guntur district.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Srinivasa Rao recalled that education, empowerment, and equality were the cardinal principles cherished by TDP founder and former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao. He asserted that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was steadfastly pursuing that legacy by ushering in transformative reforms in the education sector.

“It was during Mr. Naidu’s tenure that digital classrooms, skill development initiatives, fee reimbursement schemes, foreign education assistance, and the IT revolution took root. These measures altered the destiny of lakhs of families across the State,” he observed.

Lauding Education Minister Nara Lokesh, the TDP chief said the young leader was imparting a new direction to the sector. “Through modern teaching methods, teacher training programmes, and digital education, Mr. Lokesh is laying a secure foundation for the youth. His contribution will remain an invaluable asset to Andhra Pradesh,” he remarked.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao came down heavily on former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing him of having “crippled the education system and pushed the future of students into darkness.” He alleged that under the previous regime, students in BC hostels were deprived even of proper meals, and were forced to study in dilapidated conditions where walls threatened to collapse. “The government ignored even when children fell ill. Education was systematically dismantled,” he charged.

Highlighting the current government’s initiatives, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said: “With Mr. Naidu’s foresight and Mr. Lokesh’s youthful dynamism, the coalition is committed to providing corporate-level facilities to students. Nutritious meals with fine rice are being served. Hostels have been equipped with CCTV cameras, inverters, and RO water plants. An amount of ₹18 crore has been sanctioned for utensils and other essentials. Even the unpaid diet and cosmetic charges left pending by the previous government have been cleared.”

He further noted that under the Talli Ki Vandhanam scheme, ₹15,000 is being extended to every school-going child in a family, irrespective of the number of children. “This is an investment in education, and a strong foundation for the State’s future,” he underlined.

Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, State Social Welfare Minister Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, former Minister and TDP Politburo member Nakka Anand Babu, MLA Mohammad Naseer, several corporation chairpersons, and local representatives were present at the event.