Naidu completes 200 days of yatra

Visakhapatnam: Telugu Desam supremo Nara Chandrababu Naidu completed 200 days of his `Meekosam Vastunna' padayatra at Bheemaboinapalem under Makavarapalem mandal in the district around 7.30 pm on Friday. An highly elated Naidu cut a cake to mark the occasion. A large number of women accorded him a traditional welcome when the landmark was achieved. Chintakayala Vijay, son of politburo member Ch Ayyanna Patrudu, said the TDP leaders and cadres were inspired by their leader's persistence to reach out to the people. He said Naidu had so far walked 2,783 km. "We erected a memorial so that the local people would remember this remarkable achievement of our party president,'' he said. Earlier, Naidu took part in a party rally from Tamartam junction and reached Rachapalle village in Makavarapalem where he interacted with the people who lost their lands to the ANRAK Alumina processing plant. The villagers narrated their problems and explained how the State government had cheated them in providing employment and relief. The TDP president gave an assurance to them that his party would make all efforts to get employment to the land losers and also financial relief in lieu of loss of lands.

TDP chief assuresA pensions to priests Visakhapatnam: TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday promised a pension of Rs 1,000 to Veda pundits. He said a separate welfare corporation for the priests would be set up if the party returned to power in the State. He was interacting with the members of North Andhra Archaka Parishad during his padayatra in Boddepalle in Narsipatnam on Friday. The priests welcomed him to the town with Veda mantras and blessed him. They urged him to protect Hindu traditions and help the priests. "Telugu Desam will do its best in serving the interests of the people who are in service of the the god. It will protect the age-told traditions of Hindu rituals. I got a tremendous response from the Brahmin families across the State during my pada yatra,'' he told the priests. He also promised Veda Vignana Kendrams in every district to encourage and nurture the Hindu traidtions. Poor Brahmin students would be helped to pursue higher studies by offering them monthly scholarships.