Maryland Governor Lauds Telugu Community’s Powerhouse Role

WASHINGTON, DC – Maryland Governor Wes Moore credited the Telugu community with helping shape the state’s success across several key sectors, highlighting its contributions to technology, healthcare, business, and academia.

Addressing the closing session of the 19th convention of the American Telugu Association (ATA) in Baltimore, Moore told thousands of attendees that the community continues to be a major strength for Maryland.”The Telugu community is at the forefront of Maryland’s strength as a technology, medical, business, and academic powerhouse,” Moore said during his address, PTI reported.Moore also acknowledged Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Katragadda Miller, a Hyderabad native, while speaking at the convention. The governor and Miller were elected together in 2022, marking two firsts for the state: Moore became Maryland’s first elected Black governor, while Miller became its first woman of color to serve as lieutenant governor. PTI reported that only three Black individuals have been elected governors in the United States during the country’s 250-year history.The convention brought together Telugu community members from across the United States over three days. Among the prominent American public officials in attendance was Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, who was born in Hyderabad and moved to the United States with her parents at the age of four.The event also drew several leaders from Telangana, including Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Legislative Council Chairman Gutta Sukhender Reddy, Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, MLAs T. Rammohan Reddy, Yennem Srinivas Reddy and Manohar Reddy, along with Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao.