KHAMMAM, FEBRUARY 28, 2024: Vinod Rao Tandra (VIRAT), an expert in organic farming, a social worker, a trained pilot, a prize-winning Golfer, and a successful businessman, has made a deep dive into Khammam politics with a sole aim of serving the place he hails from.
Pained by the fact that there is not much development in Khammam district, Vinod Rao, a native of Timmampet in Ashwaraopet mandal, left his blooming business to his sons and took a plunge into active politics. He toured every nook and corner of Khammam parliamentary constituency in a short span of time and decided to contest on Bharatiya Janata Party ticket. Knowing fully well that Khammam, once a Communist bastion and the Congress fort now, does not have bright prospects for BJP, Vinod Rao wishes to give his best to reach people seeking a chance to ensure the development of the constituency by using his expertise in various key sectors and his high profile connections nationally and internationally.
“BJP, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, can change the face of Khammam, which is hitherto neglected by other political parties. Given a chance, I wish to implement a development-oriented agenda besides effectively bringing the schemes launched by the Modi to the poor and downtrodden of Khammam,” Vinod Rao says. His meeting with the Chattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Maharaja Kamal Chandra Banj Deo Kakatiya during their visit to Bhadrachalam on February 25, 2024 provided a glimpse of Vinod Rao’s high level connections.
“Having worked in the USA and visited various countries, Vinod Rao ji developed great connections across the world. He is capable of making use of his connections for the development of Khammam,” one of his close associates, who studied with him Intermediate at Palvoncha, said.
Riding on the crest of Modi’s charisma and the public mood after the consecration of Bala Ram in Ayodhya, the local BJP leaders and cadres are rallying behind him. “We see an able leader in Vinod Rao garu. He made an impact in the minds of people of Khammam district with his pro-active engagement and certainly he has brought new energy into the Khammam BJP,” a leader said recalling his association with Sangh Parivar over a decade. Vinod Rao, an MBA from Osmania University, resigned from an honorary position he was holding in a central government organization before joining the BJP. Vinod Rao has accomplished many highs, especially on the societal front with his quest to empower the marginalised communities.
The champion of self-reliance, he is passionate about Ekalavya Foundation, which is touching the lives of people in 24 districts. As its Secretary from 2015 to 2021, he transformed segments like education, health and agriculture while tribal communities in Adilabad have become self-reliant.Sendriya Mitra is another assignment that turned Vinod Rao into an expert in organic farming. Keen on bringing around 50,000 acres under organic farming in the next three years, Sendriya Mitra is empowering 15,000 farmers and 400 villages with sustainable practices. As the nationally acclaimed Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)’s chairman since 2017 till recently, Vinod Rao has been promoting organic farming with myriad initiatives. Medak district farmers are reporting increased productivity and higher earnings. His impactful initiatives have fostered water conservation and Shramdhan; provided platforms to farmers by way of clubs, cooperatives and federations; conceptualising ‘Akshaya Vidya’ for urban slum children and ‘Vidya Vahini’ for rural communities; promoting health through kitchen gardens, better sanitation and free health camps; educating masses about their legal rights, RTI and land records and showing career paths and training the aspirants. He resigned to KVK before joining BJP in an attempt to completely divert his energies to Khammam.
Apart from being the managing partner of Viya Ventures, Vinod Rao’s business acumen is the guiding force for NXT Bot Technologies and Airbotix Technologies. He is presently a member of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. He has served as a member of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). For one wearing many hats with equal dexterity, Vinod Rao remains the torch-bearer of positive change and a role-model for the younger generations.
“I have a grand plan for Khammam farmers, youngsters, women, workers and adivasis. I dedicate myself to the development of Khammam. This time, Khammam shouldn’t miss Modi’s bus. We request voters to vote for BJP because it is tantamount to voting for the country’s development,” Vinod Rao said exuding confidence that the BJP leadership would consider his multi-faceted works before giving him a chance to contest from Khammam in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
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Photo caption:
Vinod Rao Tandra interacting with his friend Maharaja Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo Kakatiya, a descendent of Kakatiya dynasty (Maharaja Bastar) during the latter’s visit to Bhadrachalam on February 25, 2024 on the sidelines of the Bhadrakali-Kakatiya Vijayasankalpa Yatra
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