Andhra Pradesh leads: K.R. Suresh Reddy

NEW YORK (TIP): Andhra Pradesh Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy during his visit to Boston and New York last week informed the Telugu community about the economic progress in India and the state and also allayed their fears arising from the recent bomb blasts there. In Boston , Reddy was the chief guest at a function September 1, organized by the Telugu community to celebrate 60 years of India 's independence. "I talked there about the vibrancy of the Indian economy and how parliamentary democracy is the most powerful way for economic development," Reddy said.

In New York , he spoke at the reception held Thursday in his honor by the Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC), Andhra Pradesh (AP) chapter. Surinder S. Malhotra, president of INOC and Gaddam Reddy, head of the AP chapter, introduced the speaker. The speaker lauded NRIs for the upturn in the Indian economy. "Each one of you has contributed through your remittances and investments," he said. He pointed out that the growth in India , particularly in Andhra Pradesh, has been more inclusive now, bridging the rural-urban, poorrich and the digital divides. "With economic issues addressed by the present government in Andhra Pradesh through measures such as the rural employment scheme, Naxalism (Maoist movement) as a law and order problem has been tackled," Reddy claimed.

The Aug 25 terror strikes in Hyderabad , he told the audience, "has shaken, not shattered people. People stood firmly and reaffirmed that no act of violence can divide us." Reddy, 48, said he often takes back messages from his interactions with the NRI community. "Last year at a conference of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) on the West Coast, the issue of global warming was raised. On my return, I took it up and now we have a committee on environment protection in the assembly."