CM KCR announces memorial for C Narayana Reddy

HYDERABAD: Describing

Dr C Narayana Reddy

as a 'diamond' in the world of

Telugu literary world

, Telangana chief minister

K Chandrasekhar Rao

on Tuesday announced a memorial and a statue at

Tank Bund

in Hyderabad city.

The chief minister visited the Jnanpith awardee at his house to pay his last respects. He placed a wreath on the mortal remains of the celebrated doyen of Telugu literature and paid homage.

Talking to media persons, the CM said 100 buses will crisscross the state to transport those who want to attend the last rites of the departed poet. "Millions of his fans want to come to Hyderabad from several parts of Telangana and I''ve directed the officials to arrange 100 buses to transport them.

One major government building in the city will be named after him and Rs 10 lakh will be granted to his brainchild 'Saraswath Parishath'. The last rites of the poet will be performed with full police honours and we are ready to do whatever needed to show our respect to the beloved son of this soil," said Chandrasekhar Rao.

He recalled his association with Narayana Reddy and his love for his writings. KCR during his school days stood first in his class by reciting poems from "Mandara Makarandamala" written by Narayana Reddy. " He has no match in contemporary literary world. He has given glamour to literature with his exemplary poems, folk and film songs. I am very much at pain with his demise and I pray for his soul and strength to his family to overcome the loss," said the chief minister.

Several ministers including home minister Nayani Narsimha Reddy, MLAs, MPs and TRS leaders accompanied the chief minister and paid their last respects to the departed writer.