Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday cited civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr's iconic phrase, ‘I have a dream’, and said that he too had a dream for his state. The YSRCP chief was speaking in the United States at the Key Bailey Hutchinson Convention Centre in Dallas.
"I have a dream to ring in social justice in the state of Andhra Pradesh. I have a dream that no child or youth should stay away from studies for want of opportunities or money. I have a dream that no person should continue to suffer from illness due to lack of facilities or lack of financial support. I have a dream that no person who is able and willing to work sits in despair or moves out of the state due to lack of opportunities. I have a dream that marginalised sections of the society should be empowered economically, socially and politically as well," Jagan said.
"I have a dream that farmers in the agrarian economy of Andhra should not slip into distress and fall into a debt trap as they do not get proper inputs and there are no buyers of their produce or their crops face the wrath of nature. I have a dream of providing good education to the students of Andhra. I have dream to see that Government Hospitals provide quality medicare. I have a dream that every citizen should live in their own house. I have a dream that the state should have irrigation and drinking water facilities in every village and there should be no bias on the basis of caste, creed, religion or political affiliations," he added.
Jagan's speech was met with loud applause from the crowd, as they cheered on after every point he made.
"Overwhelmed by the love and affection of American Telugu community. It was truly an honor to address the wonderful gathering in Dallas. The energy and enthusiasm of Telugites was extremely endearing. Thank you all for your warmth!" Jagan tweeted later.
Jagan is on a private visit to the US to admit his daughter to a university but is scheduled to hold a few meetings with US officials.
"Andhra Pradesh is poised to catalyse investments, capital and partnerships owing to robust infrastructure for connectivity, enabling policies, integration with global value chains, shifting demographic dividend and a ready workforce," the Chief Minister had said in a statement earlier this week.
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