Archbishop Bala honored on Telangana formation day

The week-long celebration that the government organized concluded on Tuesday.

Hyderabad:  Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has honored some 50 people including Archbishop Thumma Bala of Hyderabad for their outstanding service to the one-year old state.

Rao presented the archbishop and three other religious leaders a shawl, a memento and a cash check for 1,00,116 (one lakh one hundreds and sixteen rupees) at a June 2 function, marking formation day.

Telangana, India’s Youngest and 29th state, was formed June 2 last year. The week-long celebration that the government organized concluded on Tuesday.

The celebrations began with paying floral tributes to Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park, followed by unveiling of national flag and march past by security forces.

Archbishop Bala greeted the government and the people of Telangana on behalf of the Christians, assured the community's continued cooperation for the development of “Bangaru Telangana.”

He also reiterated the Church’s commitment to the educational, health and social services in Telangana.

As part of the celebrations of the formation day of Telangana, “Christian Dhoom Dhaam”, a cultural festival was arranged for the Christian Community. Telangana State Christian Minority Finance Corporation (TSCMFC) organized it June 6.

Sri Nayani Narasimha Reddy, State Home Minister and chief gust at the program, assured Christians that he will work to ensure their security and progress.

He stated that Chief Minister Rao has extended all the state benefits to the Dalit Christians on par with other Dalits, and has initiated many other schemes and scholarships.

Funds have been released for the construction of Christian Bhavan at Mahendra Hills in Secunderabad.

Source: press release