After becoming the Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu visited his home state Andhra Pradesh for the first time on Saturday, and on the occasion, laid the foundation stone for the Prime Minister Awas Yojna Scheme of Group Housing with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
Under the scheme, more than 2,25,000 houses are to be built for people living below poverty line in Andhra Pradesh.
Venkaiah Naidu, who has been the Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, arrived at Amravati to accept the civic reception by the government of Andhra Pradesh, and received a warm welcome in the home state.
Naidu said that he will never forget the reception he received, and will live up to the standards of Vice President.
"I am a bit sad, as I cannot come and interact freely with you people," he added.
He promised to conduct his office with good principles, and in abidance of Constitution.
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"Hard work and discipline are always on top of my agenda," he said.
Saying that he is retired but not tired, the Vice President continued, "I got good opportunities. I had only one desire- to retire at 70 years of age and start social service at my native village. But this opportunity to become VP was unexpected."
He also asked Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to work together with Telangana for development of both Telugu states, and make Telugu the administrative language.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu congratulated the newly elected Vice President and said that his "political career of forty years has been spotless".
"Venkaiah becoming vice president is a great opportunity to Telugu people, we are proud of him" the CM said.
Both of them belong to Andhra Pradesh and have been the members of Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
"Both of us became MLAs in 1978," he recalled nostalgically.
Chandrababu Naidu, the national President of TDP lauded the Vice President for helping the party during the August crisis.
"Venkaiah helped TDP during august crisis, when NTR-led government was in trouble. During recent bifurcation, he fought for Andhra Pradesh. His efforts yielded benefits to Andhra Pradesh."
Venkaiah Naidu also commented on the separation of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh,
"Had Andhra Pradesh been divided in 1972 itself, history would have been different," he said
The Chief Minister also praised the previous work of the former Urban Development Minister for helping the poor of Andhra Pradesh.
"He gave priority to state in housing projects. In his tenure, Andhra Pradesh got three smart cities. His services for Swachchh Bharat are laudable, and he is very much successful in leading urban development ministry."
Venkaiah Naidu, who had recently declared Amaravati as smart city, said, "it should be the best capital city".
The CM continued with the praises for Venkaiah Naidu, "People recognized his services. The procession with lakhs of people proved that. He fought on public issues. His speeches were wonderful. He learnt Hindi to join national politics. Venkaiah's oratory skills in Hindi along with Telugu and English are great. He is sincere and disciplined. I am afraid of his punctuality. His Swarna Bharati trust services to public are extra ordinary. Venkaiah's 40 year long political career is spotless, he is role model to all of us. He is down to earth, and never forgot any person came across in his life."
Adding to this, he added that Venkaiah Naidu's strength is his credibility, and has never used even a single harsh word.
Andhra Pradesh State Governor E. S. L Narasimhan also attended the 13th Vice President's welcome at the airport, who then proceeded to greet the people all the way in the convoy.
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