Stone laid for Telugu University campus

HYDERABAD: The first step for developing the Sri Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University as a repository of the rich Telugu culture, its literature, art forms and traditions was taken on Monday.

Twenty years after its inception as special university to preserve and popularise Telugu culture for the benefit of younger generations and Telugus living outside the State and the country, the Telugu University got its own site.

The Finance Minister, K.Rosaiah, who laid the foundation for the Rs.3-crore administratrive building to come up on the 100-acre land at Bachupally village in Qutbullapur mandal of Ranga Reddy district, promised all possible help for the first phase of the project.

Upgradation plans

Emphasising the need to preserve and promote one's own cultural heritage, he also announced plans to upgrade the Ravindra Bharathi, the centre for literature and cultural activities in the city, at a cost of Rs.75 lakhs.

Explaining the features of the Rs.50 crore project, the Telugu University Vice-Chancellor, G.V.Subramanyam, said initially an administrative building with a plinth area of 45,000 sft would come up. It would have 18 blocks, which would be constructed in the next five or six years. A hostel for students coming from outside the State and country and a publication house were already constructed at the site with the Ninth Plan funds.

An international fine arts centre at a cost of Rs.7 crores would also be set up to promote research activity and attract internationally renowned exponents of various arts, he said.
Former Minister T.Devender Goud who helped the Telugu University in land allotment, said for any community, its language, culture and arts were invaluable assets and they should be passed on to the younger generations. "In these days of IT revolution and globalisation, there should be a strong institution like Telugu University devoted to Telugu language and culture to protect our cultural identity."

Source: The Hindu