India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A coterie of Andhra Pradesh politicians assembled at Bombay Hall on Devon Ave kept the listeners tied unto their seats till midnight hour as they dwelt on subjects of concern to many non-resident Indians in America.

The issues were about education, subsidy, development, minority welfare and Indo-US nuclear deal. Although, the event was supposedly a welcome reception in honor of visiting senior congress leader, Member of Indian Parliament, V Hanumantha Rao but it turned into a lively and interactive dialogue among speakers and listeners.

The Bombay Hall was already packed as the visiting dignitaries arrived. The Reception dinner was hosted by well-known community leader and former FIA president, Iftekhar Shareef together with members of American Hyderabadi Association, (AHA), Rashid Ali Khan and Nawab Arshad Ali Khan.

Keerthi Kumar Ravoori welcomed the guests and inaugurated the event. Rashid Ali Khan joined him inviting the dignitaries to the dais. Iftekhar Shareef virtually emceed the event and announced a subject for each speaker.

The guest of honor, Member of Parliament, V Hanumantha Rao was the last to address the audience as the key-note speaker. His address in a typical Hyderabadi-Telugu style Urdu was meaningful and redefined almost all issues taken up by other speakers before him. In a lively style, he himself remarked that while all the speakers were given a subject, he was there to cover all.

And he did so. Endorsing the views of a speaker that minority votes in India play a decisive role in power politics yet Muslims are ignored by and large by political parties, he said. But Rao asked, "Where are the Muslims leaders?" the issues supposed to be taken up by Muslim leaders are looked after by him.

"Their leaders are selling the Wakf property in Hyderabad," he said. He emphasized on importance of education among Muslims. He invited American Indian Muslims to come forward and develop educational centers in Hyderabad for the community.

Hanumantha Rao also asked Indian Muslims to check for 'bad elements' crept around who advocate terrorism in the name of religion. Hindu and Muslims have always worked together for the development of motherland. Rao reiterated that Congress party was committed to secularism and continues to hold the prime objective.

Hitting hard on opposition BJP, he said, "They (BJP leaders) have opened their shop for Ram Mandir in view of coming general elections." Lok Sabha Member, Madhu Goud Yakshi spoke about the India-US nuclear deal, and its strategic relevance to both countries. For development and power requirements, the nuclear deal is very important.

How can we progress if we lack the energy requirements? However, he declared that signing the deal India was in no way supporting US foreign policy. They were invited to Chicago by AHA and Iftekhar Shareef.

The visiting dignitaries were honored in a traditional manner by garlanding and presenting a shawl to each. A book of V Hanumantha Rao's life history, "Hanmanthanna" by Kambalapally Krishna was also released on this occasion. India Post correspondent was invited to receive a copy of "Hanmanthanna" for community interest.