Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has slammed the Centre for ignoring the prominent names recommended by the state for the Padma Awards, stating it amounted to insulting the people of the states.
The Telangana government had recommended the names of folk singer Balladeer Gaddar (Padma Vibhushan), educationist 'IIT guru' Chukka Ramaiah (Padma Bhushan), poet Andesri (Padma Bhushan), poet and singer Gorati Venkanna (Padma Shri), and poet and historian Jayadheer Tirumala Rao (Padma Shri). However, none of them were considered.
Only two people won from Telangana; Padma Vibushan for D Nageshwar Reddy in the field of medicine and Padma Shri for Manda Krishna Madiga in public affairs.
This was while five people from Andhra Pradesh were honoured with Padma awards. Actor and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna won 'Padma Bhushan' while four others from Andhra also was conferred 'Padma Shri'.
Reddy said he would write to the Centre expressing dissatisfaction over the snub. He added that though 139 people have been conferred with the civilian awards across the country, it was sad that the Centre found only two eligible from the state. "They are people who have rendered distinguished services to the Telangana, this snub is a violation of the self-respect of the people of Telangana," he said.
However, Reddy congratulated the Padma awardees from Andhra Pradesh including actor Balakrishna, for the honour. Reddy said their selection for the awards is the result of their hard work and dedication. Besides Balakrishna, the other winners from Andhra are K L Krishna, Madugula Nagaphani Sharma, late Miryala Apparao, Raghavendracharya and Panchamukhi. Revanth Reddy stated that the hard work and dedication in their chosen fields helped them to be selected for the country's highest awards.