BAY AREA: NRI TDP Bay Area hosted an interactive question and answer session with Roja, President of Telugu Desam Party Women Wing, held at Swagat Indian Cuisine, Milpitas, California, on July 13. Within a short notice from NRI TDP Bay Area, several prominent NRIs and community members gathered to welcome Roja. Srilu Veligeti started the meeting by welcoming the attendees to the gathering.

Srilu invited Jayaram Komati, Satish Ambati, and Suresh Vuyyuru onto the stage. Satish Ambati (NRI TDP) started the main meeting by thanking Roja for making time to be with them. Satish stated that with the inspiration from Chandra Babu Naidu (CBN), a year ago, NRI TDP Bay Area has been working diligently to serve people.

He elaborated that recently NRI TDP Bay Area raised $18,000 towards contribution to NTR Trust, part of which TDP bought 6,000 blankets and distributed to needy people in Andhra Pradesh (AP). Ambati said the current Congress government in AP is corrupt and not working towards helping people.

Satish appealed the attendees that we need to help CBN and TDP to win the upcoming elections. He called Roja 'a dynamic leader' and praised her hard work and key role in TDP's success. CBN was also applauded by him for reaching to all people via "mee kosam" program. Satish invited ideas and suggestions from anyone via email or phone. Komati, NRI TDP National Committee Member and TANA President-Elect and Suresh Vuyyuru, NRI TDP National Committee Member also thanked Roja.

Speaking at the meeting Suresh suggested that each of the NRIs should consider doing some free service to the villages from where they have come. Suresh mentioned that NRI TDP Bay Area decided to financially help 20 aspiring college kids to get through engineering degree education in India.

Jayaram remembered CBN's visit provided motivation to NRI TDP Bay Area members to work towards providing services to needy people. NRI TDP now has national committee and regional committees and general membership of over 3500 people so far. Roja mentioned that she has been touring US and met with a large number of supporters of TDP through out US.

She stated that Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) and CBN have promoted respect and greatness of Telugu people and culture through out the world. With their hard work, today, Telugus are receiving great recognition for their work and culture. She said that the living conditions have not improved in the last four years of Congress ruling, and that the suicides by farmers have been continuing due to poor financials.

Roja alleged that the Congress government is encouraging Belt Shops for liquor in villages and streets by which the people are getting addicted to alcohol and ruining their lives. She said that TDP demands that the government regulate and have a tight control on the liquor shop to prevent or limit the consumption of alcohol by people.