Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu adopts AP village, launches devp works

Reigning superstar of Telugu films Mahesh Babu adopted a village in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district and launched several development works worth about Rs 2.14 crore today.

Mahesh adopted Burripalem, his ancestral village near here, under the 'Smart Village - Smart Ward' programme launched by the Andhra Pradesh government.

Mahesh's recent blockbuster "Srimanthudu" propagated the theme 'giving back to the society' and it's in this spirit that he chose to adopt Burripalem.

He also adopted a village in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana.

"My grandmother and father (yesteryear superstar Krishna) did their bit for the development of the village. Now, I want to take it forward. This is a great opportunity for me," Mahesh said on the occasion.

Accompanied by his brother-in-law and Guntur MP Galla Jaydev and Tenali MLA Alapati Rajendra Prasad, Mahesh arrived in Burripalem this afternoon and spent some time in his ancestral house before launching the development works.

Thousands of people thronged the village to catch a glimpse of the superstar.

Mahesh will spend over Rs 2.14 crore for the construction of an Anganwadi building, a community hall, additional classrooms in the local school, laying of water pipelines, development of roads and drains in the village, according to the MP.

"I wanted to adopt this village under the 'Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana', but guidelines came in the way as Burripalem in the native of my in-laws. So I asked Mahesh to take up the task and he readily agreed," Jaydev said.

Burripalem would be developed into a model village, as envisioned in the SAGY, and a smart village under the Smart Andhra Pradesh programme of the state government, he said.  

Mahesh said his prime focus would be on providing health care and quality education to the villagers.

"Our immediate focus will be on healthcare and education and also bringing about a positive social change. Many people and organisations are coming forward to help me in this endeavour," he said.

Mahesh's act would be a certain inspiration for many to contribute their might for the development of their native villages, Tenali MLA Prasad said.

On the occasion, Mahesh also gave away a cheque of Rs one crore to the local Vivekananda Women's Self-Help Group for taking up income generating activities.

Vijayawada-based Andhra Hospitals launched a 'Mahesh Health Card' on the occasion under which every family in Burripalem will be issued a health card.

The hospital will conduct a health camp in the village once in two months and a vaccination programme for children every six months.

It also promised to offer free treatment, including specialities, for Burripalem villagers in Andhra Hospitals.

Students of Siddhartha Medical College have volunteered to offer their services at the village health camp.