Hyderabad|India|October'2010: Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) convenor, Prof Kodandaram underscored the importance of powerful middleclass of Telangana in making the separate State a reality soon.He was addressing a huge gathering of NRIs at the Telangana Midwest Conference - Banquet Night - 2010 at Troy Community Center, Troy, MI,USA, organized by the Telangana Development Forum (TDF), Detroit Chapter.

He said history is replete with instances of middleclass being the backbone of any successful movement worldwide and that Telangana is no exception. He said the agitation has come a long way over the years and is now at a decisive stage. He lauded the efforts of the NRIs in keeping the movement alive through various programmes. Although he did not spell out JACs action plan post December 31, when Sri Krishna
Committee’s report is due, he however, said his organization would intensify the movement in a democratic and peaceful manner. Prof Kodandaramurged urged the Center for a political decision reflecting the aspirations of 4 crore Telangana people.

Lauding the efforts of NRIs, Prof Kodandaram urged them to be more united and promote the cause by lending intellectual help to the struggle. TRS MLA, T Harish Rao, who was the keynote speaker at the function, couldn't agree more. “The agitation needs strong
intellectual solidarity from the NRIs and not their money as has been the notion among certain sections of the society.”

He said Telangana possesses rich mineral resources in making it economically vibrant once the Statehood is achieved. Harish, assured the business community here that their investments would be safe and secure in the State of Telangana. He pooh poohed the claims of Telangana baiters that the slow growth rate in the Andhra Pradesh was the fallout of the agitation. “It’s outrightly ridiculous. Whatever slow down we had witnessed is an offshoot of global recession and cannot be linked to the movement,” he reminded.

Earlier, a power point presentation over “Water and Power Crisis -What makes Telangana state A Must” by Sriram Vedire, TDF representative from St Louis, Missouri and the BJP candidate for Nalgonda Parliamentary Constituency in 2009 Elections, caught the
imagination of the gathering.

Local entrepreneur Praveen Kesireddy explained the activities the TDF (Detroit) has been doing with active support from Telangana business community in Michigan. Praveen Jonnalagadda, who was the convenor of the conference, TDF members Ashok Perumandla, Damodar Gankidi, Sammi Reddy Jillala and Ramgopal also spoke on the occasion