Sun Mar 01 01:40:00 UTC 2026: # Call to Rename Andhra Pradesh Surfaces at World Telugu Conference
The Story:
At the inaugural address of the third Telugu Prapancha Mahasabha (World Telugu Conference) in Amalapuram on February 28, 2026, Telugu language scholar Garikapati Narasimha Rao advocated for renaming Andhra Pradesh as ‘Telugu Naadu’, drawing parallels with ‘Tamil Nadu’ and the recent renaming of Kerala as ‘Keralam’. He argued that the term “Andhra Pradesh” lacks Telugu origins and urged the people of Andhra Pradesh to emulate Kerala’s determination in renaming their state.
Key Points:
- Garikapati Narasimha Rao called for renaming Andhra Pradesh as ‘Telugu Naadu’.
- The call was made during the inaugural address of the third Telugu Prapancha Mahasabha on February 28, 2026, in Amalapuram.
- Mr. Narasimha Rao stated that “Andhra Pradesh” is not a Telugu word.
- He referenced the late Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), who championed the cause of Telugu self-respect, and the recent renaming of Kerala as inspiration.
- The three-day conference is organized by Godavari Global University, Rajamahendravaram.
- Notable figures like Odisha Governor Kambhampati Hari Babu, Andhra Pradesh State Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu, and writer Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad were present.
Key Takeaways:
- The call to rename Andhra Pradesh reflects a desire to emphasize Telugu cultural identity.
- The comparison to the renaming of Kerala suggests a growing trend of asserting regional linguistic identities.
- The involvement of prominent literary and political figures lends weight to the proposal.
Impact Analysis:
- The proposal to rename Andhra Pradesh could spark significant political and social debate within the state.
- It may lead to increased focus on promoting and preserving the Telugu language and culture.
- The success of the movement to rename Kerala as ‘Keralam’ could serve as a model and motivation for proponents of renaming Andhra Pradesh.