KT Rama Rao calls for promoting artists and writers at Cartoonist Sekhar Memorial Awards 2026

BRS working president KT Rama Rao said India needs Mahatma Gandhi's values of harmony and mutual respect while stressing the importance of supporting artists and writers. Speaking at the Cartoonist Sekhar Memorial Awards 2026, he assured support for expanding the annual event.

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao said the country today needed the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi, emphasising that religious beliefs were personal matters and that society should move forward with mutual respect and harmony. He stressed the need to recognise and encourage creative talent like artists and writers as a social responsibility.

Rama Rao who was the chief guest at Cartoonist Sekhar Memorial Awards-2026 ceremony, presented awards to cartoonist M Naru and artist Kurella Srinivas, who were honoured in the cartoon and artist categories respectively.

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Describing the event as a refreshing break from the daily rigours of politics, the BRS working president said interactions with artists, writers and poets were rare and enriching moments. Referring to the influence of cartoons on public life, he noted that a single cartoon could often convey more than lengthy commentary, and recalled the contributions of legendary cartoonists such as RK Laxman. He also spoke of his admiration for Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson and praised the work of Telugu cartoonists including Sridhar, Shankar and Sekhar.

Paying tribute to the late cartoonist Sekhar, Rama Rao said his work on contemporary issues and the Telangana movement had left a lasting impact and inspired a generation of artists. He recalled being moved by an incident in which Sekhar, despite serious illness, visited Gun Park to celebrate the passage of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill paving way for Telangana State formation.

Commending Shekhar’s family and friends for continuing the awards for six years, he assured support for expanding the event. He said efforts would be made to organise future editions on a larger scale and reiterated the need to continually honour the contributions of artists and writers to society.