Wed Oct 16 10:26:25 UTC 2024: ## Andhra Pradesh Government to Celebrate Valmiki Jayanthi as State Festival
**Amaravati, [Date]:** Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Minister Nara Lokesh has announced that the state government will officially celebrate Valmiki Jayanthi, fulfilling a promise made during his Yuva Galam Pada Yatra ahead of the recent state assembly elections.
Lokesh, who led the TDP to a landslide victory in the elections, had interacted with members of the Boya and Valmiki communities during his 3,132 km long padyatra. He pledged to celebrate Valmiki Jayanthi as a state festival in response to their request.
The decision has been met with widespread appreciation from the communities, who consider Valmiki a revered figure. The state government has issued orders to celebrate Valmiki Jayanthi on the 17th of this month in all district headquarters, with a state-level event to be held in Anantapur.
In a tweet, Lokesh highlighted TDP’s commitment to the BC community, stating, “Telugu Desam Party is the birthplace of the BCs. Our government will always take steps towards increasing their self-esteem.”
This move is being seen as another step towards fulfilling promises made during the Yuva Galam Pada Yatra, with Lokesh already having established a dialysis center in Bangarupalyam and increased aid for “Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyalu” in small temples across the state.
First Piper 