Hyderabad, Dec 15 (UNI) The prestigious five-day World Telugu Conference (WTC) being hosted by the country's youngest state--Telangana--got off to a dazzling start at the tastefully decorated Lal Bahadur Stadium, here on Friday evening.
Vice President M.Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the mega WTC, a festival of Telugu language and culture,in the midst of a jam-packed stadium.
Governors E.S.L.Narasimhan (Telangana and AP) and Ch.Vidyasagar Rao (Maharashtra) were the guests of honour.
Several State Ministers, MPs K Kavitha, Bandaru Dattatreya and Asaduddin Owaisi, legislators were among the prominent people who were also present at the inaugural ceremony.
Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao presided over the inaugural function.
An invocation dance by a group of traditionally attired dancers preceded the inaugural function.
About 8,000 delegates including more than 400 NRIs and delegates with non-Indian origin from 40 countries are attending the WTC during which there will be discussions and talks on Telugu language and culture.
The sprawling LB stadium, main venue named after Palkuriki Somana, an eminent poet of Telangana, was decorated to reflect the prominence of Telangana culture and heritage, while the massive dais is named after another Telangana poet Bammera Pothana.
The historic city of Hyderabad which has been decked up with 100 welcome arches and hoardings dedicated to Telugu luminaries wore a festive look.
MORE UNI SMS KNR CS 1852