Celebrating the great seer Valmiki

Puttaparthi marked Valmiki Jayanti with vibrant celebrations at Abdul Kalam Shaadi Mahal on Tuesday. MLA Palle Sindhura Reddy, former minister Dr. Palle Raghunath Reddy, and District Collector Shyam Prasad were present as chief guests. The event included a ceremonial floral tribute to a portrait of Maharshi Valmiki.

During his address, MLA Sindhura Reddy hailed Valmiki as the Adi Kavi (first poet) and praised Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for recognizing Valmiki Jayanti as a state festival. She noted that the coalition government is committed to giving all communities and religions equal respect and opportunities.

Highlighting Valmiki’s enduring legacy, she said the Ramayana, composed over 7,000 years ago, continues to provide moral and social guidance. She spoke about Valmiki’s transformation from Ratnakar, a hunter and thief born into a Boya family, into the revered sage who authored the Ramayana. Sindhura Reddy emphasized the lessons in the epic on loyalty, friendship, brotherhood, and marital values, pointing out how the relationships of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, and Hanuman serve as examples for society.

The MLA also expressed her honor at having had the opportunity to advocate in the State Assembly for including the Valmiki community in the Scheduled Tribes category and pledged to actively work for the welfare of the Boya community.

Former Minister Palle Raghunath Reddy described Maharshi Valmiki as a timeless figure whose teachings on governance and morality remain relevant today. He also praised recent efforts by the state government to include the Valmiki community in the ST list, acknowledging MLA Sindhura Reddy’s role in advancing this cause.