Will play a facilitator for people, advisor to government

When Tamilisai Sounderarajan took oath as the first lady Governor of Telangana on September 8, political circles were abuzz with speculations that it is a deft move by the BJP-led Central government to strengthen the footprint of the saffron party in the youngest state.

Exactly two weeks after assuming office, The Hans India had the privilege of having an informal chat with the youngest Governor.

Tamilisai, who was the Tamil Nadu state BJP chief prior to her appointment as the Governor of Telangana, is a down to earth person, who is practical in her approach and clear in her mind as to what her task is.

While expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party high command for having sent her to Telangana state where she can feel more at home as there are many similarities in the culture of the two states, the Governor said she would play the role of an advisor to the government on state issues from time to time and will be a facilitator for the common man to ensure that justice is done to him. He should get all the benefits that are intended for him, she said.

Tamilisai said right from the beginning she always believed in serving the people particularly the weaker sections in society and work for their welfare.

Narrating one such incident, she said as a practising gynaecologist she used to earmark at least two hours a day for the patients from the economically weaker sections and conduct tests which used to cost Rs 3000 for just Rs 100 and that too to meet the cost of the paper and printing.

As Governor, she said she has started yoga classes for the children who are studying in the school in Raj Bhavan. These children belong to financially weaker sections.

Regular and systematic yoga classes can help them improve their learning skills and memory power and will bring in some discipline. When people across the globe are benefitting from yoga, why should these children be deprived of it, she said.

The Governor said that she is still studying various aspects pertaining to the state of Telangana and soon would visit irrigation projects for a first-hand information.

Tamilisai said she would like to be easily accessible to the people so that she can play the role of being a bridge between the government and the people of the state in ensuring that the benefits of development reach the people for whom it is meant.

In the backdrop of this, she was contemplating to hold a 'Praja Durbar'. However, she said it was still just a thought and no final decision has yet been taken.

Before she embarks on holding Praja Durbar, she must ensure that a mechanism was in place to see that whatever grievances were brought to her notice were properly examined by the government for necessary action.

One can now expect that Raj Bhavan will be a vibrant place buzzing with activity with a Governor who would play a proactive role in the development of the state.