Bapu-Ramana
The duo has come to be the symbol of Telugu Culture. Bapu (aka Sattiraju Lakshminarayana), artiste, cartoonist and film director and Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, writer and film maker have contributed immensely to enrich the Telugu sensibilities in art, culture and literature in recent times. In memory of these two Telugu stalwarts, the Chandrababu Naidu Government installed the statues of these two simple but gifted souls on the banks of River Godavari at Rajahmundry, the inspiration behind their creative expression.
CONTENTS AMAraVATI UNVEILED
16
When Naidu played vitalrole in making APJ Abdul Kalam the President…
The Seed Capital Development Plan by Singapore indicates that Amaravati will rival the best of cities in the world.
6
A Bow to the Sacred River Godavari Pushkaralu
10
Japanese thrust to AP’s Economy
5 Central Institutes to commence this year
22
Happening Andhra
32
Various developments across the state of Andhra Pradesh.
30
$ 250 Mn For AP Disaster Recovery
21
Vizag beaches to be developed with Water Sports
Snapshot
34
28
Andhra Pradesh – Targeted Outcomes
Chief Minister’s social network
29 26
23 AP for LPG connection for all households
Etikoppaka: Toyland of native charms
24
Tollywood Actors Make A Beeline to Explore Tamil Cinema
ANDHRA PRADESH
EDITORIAL
Published Monthly In English & Telugu August 2015 Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Salivahana Era 1937
Publisher & Commissioner N V Ramana Reddy, IRPS Chief Editor Ramesh Kandula Editor Naresh Nunna
Assistant Editor Shruti Mathur
Cover Page Amaravati illustration Second Cover Bapu-Ramana Statue Third Cover CM at various events
Fourth Cover APIIC Advt on Sunrise State
Published by: Information & Public Relations Department Government of Andhra Pradesh Hyderabad - 500 028 Ph: 040-23300258
Views expressed by various authors in this issue reflect their personal opinions. Design Karthik Beesu
Printed at Caxton Offset Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad
I
From one challenge to another…
t is during the time of crisis that the real mettle of a leader is manifest. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu put his heart and soul into making the Godavari Pushkaralu 2015, a memorable and culturally rejuvenating event for the people of Andhra Pradesh. But on the very first day, an unexpected tragedy struck in the form of a stampede in which several lives were lost. However, the CM - moved though he was by this unfortunate incident - shrugged off the initial shock, and led the administration in the smooth conduct of the river festival for the duration of the event in an exemplary manner. He stayed put at Rajahmundry for the next two weeks and personally supervised the arrangements at every level. If millions of pilgrims chose to take the holy dip even after the tragic incident, it is to the credit of the Chief Minister, who rose to the occasion admirably. From one challenge to another, the Chief Minister’s journey continues. Even as he was busy supervising the Pushkaralu preparations, the CM received the Singapore delegation, which handed over the blueprint for the Core Capital Area of Amaravati. The first look at the graphic representations of the future capital wowed the people at large. The CM’s tenacity at getting the best in the world was evident in the way he could prevail upon the Singapore Government to draw the masterplan for a great city free of charge.
Now is the time to look forward to a great capital city that would be able to sustain the aspirations of an expectant people. Knowing the determination of the Chief Minister, few have any doubts that Andhra Pradesh would be able to build a capital and an economy that would rival the best in the world sooner than later. What is lacking is money, not the will. The CM has proven time and again that he possesses ‘the courage never to submit or yield’. And despite odds, he will lead us ahead.
Each Issue : Rs 5/Annual Subscription : Rs 50/4
www.andhrapradeshmagazine.org Email: apchiefeditor@gmail.com www.ipr.ap.nic.in
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
RAMESH KANDULA Chief Editor
AUGUST 2015
FOREWORD
Lest We Should Forget!
F
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world” - Mahatma Gandhi
reedom fighters, who dreamed of Independent India, were a spirited lot. They carried their struggles with the single-point agenda of selfrule. They bore the brunt of the struggle, suffered baton-charges, went to prisons and endured inhuman conditions there.
They cared little for their life or limb. They breathed patriotism in all their waking hours. In many instances, there was more than one member of a family who ended up as a martyr.
It is this unwavering determination and national fervour that drove the young trio of Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and Rajguru to gallantly face the gallows. But the generations of Indians born post 1947 have little or no understanding of the great sacrifices of these noble souls. The physical and mental suffering, the loss of kith and kin, the social ostracisation – the freedom fighters took them all in their stride. It is the goal that kept them alive all through.
If all those who relentlessly fought for the liberation of their mother nation were counting working hours, weekend holidays, monthly salaries or career options, we would have not been a free country today. Theirs was a true life of sacrifice. They were least concerned about their personal well being and their personal future. Oblivious to days or nights, months or years, fighters like Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy or Alluri Sitarama Raju plunged themselves into a struggle at
AUGUST 2015
the cost of their lives.
The independence was the offshoot of such zealous patriotism. Perhaps, most of us, who are enjoying the fruits of independence, may not know the value of freedom, as we have not experienced the great struggle. Every patriot of the movement preferred the liberation of motherland to the well-being of his family.
But, now, we find striking reversal of the situation; everyone is after one’s own family and indifferent to the society and the country. We fight for less working hours, better scales and more privileges. We are very conscious of our ‘rights’. But are we aware so much about our responsibilities?
Our forefathers thought Swarajya (self-rule) is a precursor to Surajya (good governance). However, August 15 has now been now reduced to mere ceremonies and celebrations. We are far from realising the dream of ‘Surajya’ because we now are more focussed on ourselves, with least consideration for discharging our responsibilities.
The State was bifurcated when united Andhra Pradesh was forging ahead in development. Now, we have the opportunity to rebuild our State comprising of 13 districts from scratch. But this reconstruction cannot be the sole burden of one Chief Minister, a few Ministers or bureaucrats, however committed or hardworking they are. It is the duty of every citizen of this State to pitch in their contribution to make the best of the freedom that was bestowed on us. Only then can we claim the legacy of all those heroic figures in the independence movement. That would be the real tribute to the great souls.
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
N V RAMANA REDDY Commisioner, I&PR
5
Japanese thrust to AP’s Economy
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu efforts to strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s position on the global investment map have started showing results with his latest trip to Japan.
I
t is the beginning of a long lasting relationship between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Japan, as Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu toured Japan for the second time in one year, with the objective of wooing investors to the State. During his four-day visit, Naidu held a series of meetings with the representatives of various Japanese companies in order to attract investments to the State, besides entering into MoUs with some of them to help the State government in realising its dream of constructing a state-of-the-art capital for the state.
Collaboration with Fuji Electric
6
The CM met representives of electrical equipment manufacturer Fuji Electricals to discuss about making Andhra Pradesh’s smart grid project the best in the country, Fuji Electric has identified a site in Vijayawada for a proposed smart grid project. This will be a pilot project, the main one being planned in Amaravati, the upcoming capital.
CM Chandrababu Naidu with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe
Fuji Electric’s Representative Director Yoshio Okuno suggested two models of developing a smart grid project. The first is to develop a model smart grid project for the state and the second being, partnership of AP with Fuji Electric where they can together offer consultancy services to other states in the country. “The initial model could be scaled up to all the cities, and later expanded to the entire state,” he said.
Mitsubishi keen on Industrial Corridor
However, it is Mitsubishi Corporation’s keen interest in investing in the proposed Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor and the Krishnapatnam industrial node that has most enthused the visiting delegation. In the meeting with Mitsubishi Corporation, Senior Vice President of Mitsubishi Corporation Yasuhiko Kitagawa came forward to partner with Andhra Pradesh under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
AUGUST 2015
“One of my colleagues in the METI ministry told me that I must meet you and pay special attention to AP,” Akihiro Ohta of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) told the CM.
As part of their global CSR programme, they are setting up Japan Information and Study Centre at Andhra University. This Centre, under CSR, will promote Japanese language courses and introduce locals to the Japanese culture. “We are keen on the ChennaiBangalore industrial corridor and Krishnapatnam industrial node,” Kitagawa added, calling Andhra Pradesh an attractive destination for investments. Kitagawa requested an approach road to their factory near Tuni. The Chief Minister assured them that it will be completed within 100 days.
Rural Development Programme
Mitsubishi Corporation expressed their interest to celebrate agricultural expert M S Swaminathan’s 90th birthday in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government. The Chief Minister proposed Amaravati as the venue for the event. Further, Kitagawa informed the Chief Minister that, in partnership with M S Swaminathan Foundation, they will undertake a fiveyear rural development programme in Krishna district from this year.
Dedicated Desk for Japan
In a meeting with the Chief Minister, Yoshiro Tanaka, Chairman, Mayekawa Mfg. Co. Ltd. evinced interest in exploring fisheries sector. Tanaka informed the Chief Minister that a technical team will visit the Godavari districts during August to study fish processing units in the state. The CM explained the Japanese delegation that Andhra Pradesh is AUGUST 2015
a leading state in the fisheries sector. “At present, we are only a top market in marine exports. We want to expand to other regions by setting up processing units,” he added. Explaining that the state aims to grow 30-35 per cent every year in fisheries, the Chief Minister invited Mayekawa to guide Andhra Pradesh in this sector. He also informed that the government is contemplating setting up of Aqua University. Tanaka suggested that Andhra Pradesh should have a dedicated Japan desk in the country. This will generate interest among Japanese investors, he said. The Chief Minister replied in the affirmative.
The CM invited Japan Research Institute, which is a subsidiary of SMBC, to collaborate with an organization or university to study the cost of difference between elevated metro and mono rail, and submit a report. Meanwhile, Toshiba has come forward to provide assistance to Andhra Pradesh to optimize power management. Naidu invited Honda Motor Co., to set up a plant in his state. During a meeting with Shinji Aoyama, COO of Motorcycle operations, Honda Motors, the CM explained about the opportunities for automobile manufacturing in the state.
Softbank to set up 20 GW solar plant
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had a long meeting with Softbank’s MoU with Mizuho Bank Founder and CEO Masayoshi Son, The Chief Minister had a fruitful who had visited Andhra Pradesh in discussion with Tatsufumi Sakai, June and cracked a deal with GoAP. Managing Executive Officer, Head SoftBank will be setting up a 20 of International Banking Unit, GW solar plant in Andhra Pradesh, Mizuho Bank. Mizuho Bank is the apart from offering scholarships in second largest bank in Japan and solar power engineering to stuhas one of the largest client bases. dents. As part of ‘Make in India’ The CM invited Mizuho Bank to set initiative, SoftBank will take up up their India headquarters in manufacturing of solar panels in Amaravati. “We are planning to the State. Besides offering financial make our capital a financial hub,” assistance for the proposed unihe said. The CM also asked Mizuho versity on non-conventional enBank to consider setting up their ergy resources, SoftBank also came back office in Andhra Pradesh. forward to provide scholarships to Sakai said that they will encourage engineering students who spetheir clients to explore investment cialise in solar energy. opportunities in Andhra Pradesh. He also informed the CM that sem- Meeting with Bank of Tokyo inars will be held to advise The Chief Minister and AP delegaJapanese companies on investing tion attended a lunch meeting in Andhra Pradesh. A Memoranhosted by Takashi Morimura, dum of Understanding was signed Dy. President, Bank of Tokyo between Mizuho bank and GoAP. Mitsubishi UFJ. He invited the bank to set up their offices, especially Meanwhile, Sumitomo Mitsui foreign exchange operations, in Banking Corporation (SMBC) will conduct a feasibility study on eco- Amaravati. city and transportation systems. Morimura responded positively
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
7
What Japan has In store For amaravatI The Land of the Rising Sun has promised more than just investments to the state of Andhra Pradesh; Japan expressed readiness to help construct the new capital Amaravati.
A
s Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu embarked on his tour of the nation, it was seen as a move to build closer ties between the two sides that has some remarkable cultural connection – Buddhism. Japan is essentially a Buddhist country, and the capital city of Andhra Pradesh has been christened after ancient Buddhist town of Amaravati. The cultural connect certainly helped in eliciting good response from the Japanese Government as well as companies for the construction of Amaravati. Japan is ready to join hands in building the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said after returning from his tour of Japan. During his visit, CM Naidu met Japanese Premier, Shinzo Abe, and extended a personal invitation to him for the foundation stone laying ceremony of his state's new capital, Amaravati. Naidu said
8
Prime Minister Narendra Modi would also write to Abe inviting him for the ceremony to be held in October this year. Abe assured Naidu that Japan will extend all technical and possible financial assistance for infrastructure development and building of capital. The Chief Minister also made a request for making some institutionalised arrangement for AP-Japan relationship, to which Abe agreed. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), on the other hand, has come forward with equity participation in the capital development and management. METI Minister Yoichi Miyazawa informed CM Naidu that several Japanese companies are ready to partner in Amaravati’s construction. The METI Minister added that the trade and industry body is also keen to invest in Andhra Pradesh’s metro rail project if there is a request out forth from the Government of India. Replying to
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
this, the Chief Minister said he would request the Government of India to pursue it. On similar lines, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructre, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) extended co-operation in helping Amaravati with the construction of roads, building and infrastructure. The Chief Minister also took the opportunity of inviting Bank of Tokyo to set up their offices, especially foreign exchange operations, in Amaravati, when he led his high profile delegation for a luncheon meeting with the President of the bank, Takashi Morimura. And, apart from requesting the Mizuho Bank, Japan’s second largest bank, to set up its Indian headquarters in Amaravati, Naidu urged Tatsufumi Sakai, Managing Executive Office of Mizuho Bank, to consider setting up their back office in the state. The CM invited the bank to set up their offices, especially foreign exchange operations, in Amaravati.
AUGUST 2015
and added that to boost the state’s investment potential, the bank will promote Andhra Pradesh among their overseas and Japanese clients. The CM invited JGC Corporation to explore setting up of a petrochemical corridor in Andhra Pradesh. Replying in the affirmative, JGC said it was keen on setting up a refinery and cracker unit in the state. Another meeting with Sumitomo was on Bhavanapadu port and a 1,000 MW power project, whose feasibility report has been completed. That apart, Sumitomo has also offered to help increase the agricultural yield. Sumitomo informed the CM that it will begin the research and experimental work this month. Naidu also had meetings with JICA and JBIC heads. Komamura Corporation evinced interest in making lenses and cameras in India and offered to explore the possibilities of setting up a unit in Andhra Pradesh and export equipment to other parts of the world from there.
CM meets Japanese PM
The main highlight of CM Naidu’s visit to Japan, however, was meeting the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. The Japanese premier AUGUST 2015
CM Chandrababu Naidu and delegation with JICA Senior Vice-President Hideako Dimichi and Indian Ambassador to Japan Deepa Gopalan recalled Naidu’s previous visit to Japan and appreciated him on maintaining a great relationship with Japan and attracting investments to India in general and Andhra Pradesh in particular. CM Naidu invited the Japanese PM to the Foundation Stone laying ceremony of Amaravati. The Japanese Prime Minister assured his country would extend all technical and possible financial assistance to AP for infrastructure and building capital. Later, the Chief Minister presented Tirupati prasadam and a sacred shawl from Lord Balaji's abode. The Prime Minister recalled that during his earlier visit too, the Chief Minister had presented it during his election campaign.
Meetings with Ministers
The Chief Minster also met several senior Ministers from the Japanese Government during his visit. Naidu met Yoichi Miyazawa of METI (at Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan), Akihiro Ohta of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Miyazawa came forward with equity participation in the capital development and management. “One of my colleagues in the METI
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
ministry told me that I must meet you and pay special attention to AP,” Ohta told the CM. He said AP was very attractive to Japan for investments. Naidu pointed out that Andhra Pradesh is keen to be a front runner as part of Japan’s $35 billioninvestment promise in India under Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Describing his Japan tour as ‘successful’, the CM, on his return, said that he was confident that the Japanese were keen to take an active role in the reconstruction of Andhra Pradesh economy. Thanks to the Chief Minister’s relentless pursuit of foreign investments, Andhra Pradesh has begun to interest investors not only from Japan, but also China, Taiwan and Europe. Over two dozen projects, with a total outlay of over Rs 12,000 crore, are expected to be grounded before the end of the year and negotiations are on for some of the heavy manufacturing companies, according to officials.
Shruti Mathur
9
A Bow to the Sacred River
GODAVARI PUSHKARALU
A
ll roads led to Rajahmundry, the 1,000-year-old historical place as well as modern town in Andhra Pradesh, for the grand celebration of Godavari Pushkaralu. The river fete was celebrated from July 14 at 6.26 a.m, for twelve days, and pilgrims, devotees and tourists from all over Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and the southern and northern states descended on the town to make Pushkaralu a truly memorable event. The town is named after Raja Raja Narendra who ruled it in the eleventh century and who commissioned the great Telugu poet, Nannayya, to translate the Sanskrit Mahabharata into Telugu. The town was then known as Rajamahendravaram, which the British subsequently corrupted to Rajahmundry. The Andhra Pradesh Government made elaborate arrangements in both East and West Godavari districts for the holy event that saw an average of 60 lakh pilgrims pouring in to the banks of Godavari. While the State Government publicised the event well in advance, creating awareness among the people over the once in 12year ritual, the modern communications too helped attract millions of pilgrims to the Godavari Pushkaram, making it one of the largest congregations in recent times across the country.
10
Godavari Pushkaralu, the ďŹ rst cultural and spiritual extravaganza in the new State, was a grand success thanks to the untiring eorts of the administration led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
The Inaugural
After taking holy dip in Rajahmundry, where the river brims in its full expanse and has been a nerve centre for Pushkaralu, Chief Minister
Chandrababu Naidu blew a conch shell to mark the beginning of the 12-day event on 14th July. Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayandra Sarswathi also took the sacred
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
v
AUGUST 2015
bath. In the preceding night, a curtain raiser event was held at the Pushkar Ghat which was a cultural extravaganza. The CM, being head of the State, received the ‘Pushkar Akhanda Swagatha Jyothi Yatra’ (torch rally). Later, he released sky lanterns from the Pushkar Ghat. A grand beginning was made for the 12-day fete, as devotees turned up in large numbers to watch the cultural show.
A Tragedy: Conspiracy Angle
The death of 27 pilgrims in a stampede at the Pushkar Ghat on the first day of the Maha Pushkarams left everyone shell- shocked. Fishing in the troubled waters, the detractors made attempts to lay the accusing fingers on the Chief Minister. The government is suspecting that the stampede
was the handiwork of anti-social elements. A judicial inquiry was ordered into the incident. The CM announced ex gratia of Rs 10 lakhs each to the families of the dead, while the injured were treated at hospitals with Government aid.
CM Stays Put
Upset though the Chief Minister was over the untoward incident, he immediately swung into action to stay the course. He lodged himself in Rajahmundry for the next 12 days and monitored the arrangements with minute care. He was everywhere, conducting aerial surveys, making midnight inspections, giving suggestions on easing traffic, observing from police control room, issuing directions on preventing health hazards and ensuring that the congregation is facilitated in taking the holy
dip in all comfort and peace. Besides conducting aerial surveys and frequent field visits, the CM moved on a river cruise and inspected all the ghats around Rajahmundry. He also checked the details of water being discharged into sea at Dowleswaram Barrage. While sitting in the control room, he personally reviewed the situation at various ghats and instructed the officials accordingly. He took utmost care for providing basic amenities like sanitation, drinking water, to the pilgrims and engaged the Fire Services to continuously clean up the ghats with huge water pipes. His personal involvement and initiatives ensured that the devotees had a memorable spiritual and cultural experience.
v AUGUST 2015
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
11
Impeccable arrangements
The State government of Andhra Pradesh made an array of arrangements on an unprecedented scale, spending nearly Rs 2000 crore for this humungous event. Be it free transport in Rajahmundry, or facilities like water, food and medication – they were all made available in plenty. About 275 ghats in the twin districts were made ready, the most prominent one being the 1.5 km long ghat at Kotilingala in Rajahmundry. Pushkar Nagars with amenities for pilgrim stay were built at several places in the city. More than 300 sanitation workers from Tamil Nadu were hired to keep the Pushkaram ghats spic and span on a daily basis. The workers, who had expertise in garbage collection and sanitary works during river jamborees, were put on round-the-clock duty
12
removing solid waste and cleaning up the ghats. Replicas of famous temples of the State were arranged on either side of the river for the pilgrims of Godavari Maha Pushkaralu. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam put up an expo with miniatures of 11 famous shrines of Srikalahasthi, Srisailam, Kanipakam, Vijayawada, Annavaram, Dwaraka Tirumala and Simhachalam and deputed its priests to perform daily rituals. The temple replicas witnessed huge rush every day.
Pushkaram Highlights in a nutshell v
v
v
A whopping 4.9 crore pilgrims took holy dip in river Godavari in both districts As many as 287 bathing ghats served on both sides of the river 6.65 crore drinking water packets were distributed
v v v v
v
70 lakh butter milk packets distributed 3.25 crore - ‘Pinda Pradhanam’ rituals performed 248 medical camps were set up A Total of 171 CCTV cameras were installed in and around the ghats 12,173 number of an-
The Godavari Harati at dusk every evening was a thrilling spiritual experience for the thousands of devotees who gathered at Pushkar Ghat daily.
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
AUGUST 2015
v v v v v v
nouncements on missing persons 1,927 APSRTC buses made 4,098 trips 300 City buses operated 60.85 lakh Passengers availed RTC services 15 lakh travelled on trains 650 Cultural programmes were organised 22 km wire broadcasting system used to telecast Pushkarams live across Rajahmundry
Number of pilgrims
Scientific estimate The officials used various techniques to count the number of sojourners to the Ghats. The data was collected from the CCTV footages and photographs taken at different times of day; with the help of the security personnel, the head count of the pilgrims at the ghats was also considered. The policemen and volunteers, who were managing the queue lines counted the pilgrims passing through their gates; vehicles entering the city and other places. It was further estimated through the traffic of RTC buses and the trains. On the concluding day, the Minister for Information and Public Relations, Palle Raghunatha Reddy explained how the total number of pilgrims- 4.91 crores was calculated. The Minister affirmed that 3.42 crores of devotees took holy dip in the ghats of East Godavari, whereas in West Godavari the number was 1.49 crore.
Godavari Harati
The Godavari Harati, on the lines of Ganga Arti, initiated by the State Government on the eve of Godavari Pushkaralu, AUGUST 2015
Pilgrims, who travelled from far and wide, could take the holy dip in Godavari in a relaxed atmosphere as Government agencies & voluntary organisations took every care.
has turned out to be the highlight of the 12-day event. Godavari Harati, presented daily at dusk on the river bank, is similar to the Ganga Harati at Haridwar and Varanasi. Enthralled devotees thronged the Pushkar Ghat every evening to
experience the spiritually thrilling tribute to the sustenance of life. The ritual of Godavari Harati performed by Vedic pundits on a specially designed pedestal on the river made for dazzling viewing. The Harati, which will be a regular feature henceforth, turned out to be the special attraction for many who came from far and wide. The light and sound show conducted at the inaugural event, too, was much appreciated for its creativity.
Valedictory on a Grand Scale
After 12 days of uninterrupted celebrations, the Godavari Maha Pushkaralu-2015 concluded on a grand note with enticing cultural programmes and an extravagant display of fire crackers on the banks of river Godavari on 25th July.
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
v
13
T
he unfortunate incident on the first day did indeed leave the CM shell-shocked. “For the last four months we have been taking all necessary measures to prevent any untoward incidents incident. But it happened and it is unfortunate,” he said. But undeterred, he rose to the occasion; put his heart and soul into relief operations. Soon, he personally supervised fool-proof arrangements for the entire period of Pushkaralu. Millions of devotees, however, unanimously praised the CM for his untiring efforts during the grand event.
14
T
CM Chandrababu Naidu consoling a pilgrim in the aftermath of the stampede at Rajahmundry. ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
he triumph over initial setback helped strength the resove of the Chief Minister. Wrapping up the event, he said the grand success of the 12-day Godavari Pushkarams would serve as a morale-booster to the State Government, the administration, employees and people of the 13 districts to build a model State. The CM said his plea to different sections to rise to the occasion evoked tremendous response and a collective effort enabled successful management of nearly 5 crore pilgrims who poured in from all directions. “With the same spirit, we can do wonders in future.”
AUGUST 2015
The city, including all bathing ghats, was beautifully decked up with fountains, paintings and statues of Telugu stalwarts. The laser show, release of sky lanterns, firecrackers and 'Godavari Nitya Harathi' organised at the Pushkar Ghat impressed thousands of pilgrims gathered at the venue. The light and sound show apart from Godavari Nitya Harathi, which was all entrusted to noted film director Boyapati Srinu, also enthralled the devotees. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, who was present at the valedictory ceremony, appreciated Godavari Harathi and said its look was more impressive than Ganga Harathi. Music concert by reputed Carnatic vocalist Mangalampalli Bala Murali Krishna, flute concert by Pandit Hari Prasad Chowrasia and Kuchipudi ballet by 1,000 dancers from Kuchipudi Natyaramam held at the Government Arts College Grounds marked the concluding ceremony of the mega religious fete. Scholars and artistes flocked to the river banks to talk about the grandeur of the Telugu people, whose history was so tangled with the course of the river. AUGUST 2015
Kudos to the CM
It is to the credit of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu that millions of believers and nature lovers poured into East and West Godavari even after the first day’s unfortunate incident. The CM’s strenuous efforts in containing the damage and standing steadfast to repair the damage and provide the best care for the pilgrims was appreciated by one and all. His staying put at Rajahmundry all through the Pushkaralu, along with many of his cabinet colleagues, instilled a sense of confidence among the devotees who made a beeline to the ghat from across the state and the country. Those who took the holy dip did not fail to mention their appreciation at the fool-proof arrangements made and facilities provided to the surging crowds. “We had a peaceful dip at the ghat. Once we entered Rajahmundry, we could see that everything was in place. Every official was helpful. The arrangements made the ritual bath for the entire family easy and enjoyable. We have seen the Chief Minister himself inspecting everything. Only Chandrababu could have managed ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
such a huge crowd. I salute his courage and conviction, “said a beaming Prabhakara Rao, who came from Nellore to the auspicious event. “It is wonderful, the power of a faith like that, that can make multitudes upon multitudes of the old and weak and the young and frail enter without hesitation or complaint upon such incredible journeys and endure the resultant miseries without repining...” Jonna, who came along with her friends, Grams Smith and Brooks, to Rajahmundry to take sacred bath, referred to the above quote of Mark Twain, after his visit to Kumbh Mela of 1895. “We experienced the spirit of the quote, when we have become part of the huge congregation sans barriers of caste, or creed. This fete exerted captivating influence over our minds,” she said. For 103-year-old Koteswara Rao Garimella of Vegeswarapuram, West Godavari district, bringing parallels between Godavari Pushkarams and Kumbh Mela is absolutely wrong. “Amongst all the river festivals, including the Maha Kumbh, I visited in my life, the present Maha Pushkaram gives me an unprecedented excitement,” Garimella toldAndhra Pradesh bureau. While the administration took every care for the smooth conduct of the Pushkaralu, the Chief Minister has to be credited with making the event a grand cultural and social affair. The extravagant display of fireworks, sky lanterns and dance shows, besides a host of seminars, religious and spiritual discourses during the event was painstakingly planned and executed under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister. Godavari Pushkaralu have not only been an enormous success but also turned out to be a scintillating example of leading from the front in times of crisis. That certainly bodes well for the State of Andhra Pradesh in days to come! Nunna Naresh
15
AMARAVATI UNVEILED
Core Capital Plan approved by AP Government Amaravati Downtown will be commercial heart of the capital city
16
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
AUGUST 2015
T
he new capital of Andhra Pradesh to come up on the banks of River Krishna will rival the best of cities in the world, if the Core Capital Plan submitted by Singapore is anything to go by. The first representational images of the seed capital of Amaravati show high rises, inland waterway and a well-defined elevated metro corridor, and is planned to be an administrative and financial hub much in the fashion of Singapore, London’s City and New York’s Manhattan. The Core Capital Region of the new capital city will come up on the Krishna riverfront and spread over 16.9 sq km area. S Iswaram, Singapore Trade and Commerce Minister, along with the visiting delegation, presented the core (seed) capital plan to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at Rajahmundry on July 20. The Seed Capital Area Master Plan is the final of the three-stage Master Plan submitted by the Government of Singapore. The Seed Capital Area Master Plan is for an area of 16.9 sq. kms, on the northern portion of the Capital City. The Seed Capital would be developed in overall 5 phases. Amaravati is envisaged to be developed as Smart, Green and Sustainable City. In line of being developed as the People’s Capital of Andhra Pradesh, our aspiration is to create a vibrant, diverse, inclusive, and modern city which will be a symbol of pride for the people of Andhra Pradesh and India, the Chief Minister opined. “My heartfelt thanks to the Government of Singapore for their dedication and fast pace of work. October 22, 2015 has been decided as the day of laying foundation stone for Amaravati. We need to begin ground work from that day.” Amaravati is a project which is being watched by people across India, the Chief Minister expressed. AUGUST 2015
The Seed Capital Area is planned for about 3 lakh residents. Being developed as a vibrant business hub, a total of about 7 lakh jobs are expected to be created in various sectors including government jobs. The six key factors taken into consideration for this Master Plan are “providing jobs and homes, worldclass infrastructure, quality living, protecting identity and heritage and, resource management and environment.” Special focus has been laid on 4 important nodes which establish the character of the SEED Development. These key nodes include Amaravati Government Core, Amaravati Downtown, Amaravati Gateway and Amaravati Waterfront.
Government Core
The government core is probably the most important area of the Capital City. It will house the seat of the state government, which is the very reason for the existence of the capital city. The Amaravati government core houses the Secretariat, Assembly, Raj Bhavan, High Court and other important Government buildings.
Amaravati Downtown
The Amaravati Downtown is the commercial heart of the Capital city. The Downtown is designed to be the iconic high-rise development that forms the central core of the SEED area. Spread across 68 Ha, it houses a vibrant mix of commercial offices, IT campuses and hospitality developments. The two parcels on the northern side that face the waterfront will be designed as iconic twin towers. This area has the best access through public transit. The buildings along the central boulevard are proposed to have no setbacks and active uses such as retail, restaurants, cafes on the ground storey. These will be allowed to spill over on to the walkways in order to create an ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
active building edge. Vehicular access is discouraged along the central boulevard as it is a Major arterial road. This also allows continuity of the active building edges. The buildings are designed to be integrated seamlessly with the MRT stations to allow comfort for the commuters. The landmark towers will be integrated with MRT stations so that commuters can directly access the buildings from the station level.
Amaravati Gateway
This node will create the first impression of the Capital City because it forms the gateway to the city and SEED development. It has been designed in a way to create the necessary impact that one needs to feel while entering the Capital City. The bridge is designed in itself to become a symbol of the city to welcome the arrivals. Appropriate parcels have been identified to be developed for the Iconic Gateway towers and to emphasize the grandeur effect of entering the capital city. This has been further enhanced by carefully setting back the building to create a larger green/public space in front of the building that allows one to appreciate the buildings. Covering 45 Ha, it will create the first impression of the Capital City while accessing from the bridge across the river.
Amaravati Waterfront
The Amaravati waterfront is envisioned as an active public waterfront with city level commercial and recreational uses. Large public buildings are proposed along the waterfront to attract people to the waterfront. In accordance to this, large public spaces have been designed to accommodate these numbers. The buildings and public spaces are designed to barrier free in order to integrate the interiors and exteriors. The ground level of these buildings are encouraged to
17
Amaravati Waterfront. On the right are signature twin towers
line and creating a modern identity.
Major Arterial Road Network
Two major arterial roads connect the SEED area to the rest of the city. The arterial road in the west serves as an important road for connecting the Government core to NH9 in the north, and to the new proposed airport in the south. The mass rapid transit network (MRT) within SEED development is part of the larger city wide MRT network. The MRT station integrated with the iconic towers along the riverfront forms a unique TOD, as it opens up into the Amaravati Plaza. A Bus Rapid Transit is proposed with the SEED development as a feeder system to the MRT lines. The BRT loop thus taps on the MRT stations.
Botanical garden
Botanical garden, covering 101 Ha, is meant to be a City park where various fauna & flora of the state could be showcased. It can be easily accessed by MRT and bus within 5-10 minute walking distance.
Wetland Park
Wetland park is proposed to maintain the natural beauty of the waterfront. Occupying 52 ha, it is imagined to be a natural public realm where passive community activities like camping, barbecue, jogging and bicycling are possible.
Amaravati Plaza
have direct access from the public spaces. The Amaravati plaza is a grand plaza that will be a multipurpose space housing activities such as waterfront amphitheaters, traditional street hawkers, etc in order to create an interesting yet compatible mix of activities.
Road Network - Efficient grid 18
The SEED development is envisioned to be very well connected both within and with the rest of the
City. The urban expressway on the eastern edge of the development is the fastest link to Gannavaram Airport from the City. It also connects the development to Vijayawada City. This road marks the main eastern entrance into the SEED area and the Capital City. An iconic gateway bridge is proposed to celebrate this first entrance into the Capital City. This bridge also plays a vital role in defining the City’s sky-
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
Amaravati Plaza is proposed as one of the main destinations along the waterfront and is also the termination of the Central Boulevard. Krishna Waterfront is where most of the activities are concentrated. The plaza occupies 8 ha, and also provides for a foreground for the iconic towers and the downtown core. Ghats are proposed celebrating the Krishna edge giving a unique identity to the river.
City Facilities
As the SEED development area houses the Capital city’s downtown AUGUST 2015
Amaravati Gateway is designed to create the impact of entering a big city.
and administrative government core, special land has been allocated for a number of city level public amenities including: International level Indoor stadium, Iconic City gallery, Performance venue, International Convention centre, Regional Hospital, a state level university and other higher education institutions, Botanical gardens, Golf course & other large city parks. These facilities will make the downtown a vibrant destination for the city residents.
Town and neighbourhood level amenities
The plan also safeguards land for town and neighbourhood level civic facilities, including: 16 Ha of land is proposed for primary schools, secondary schools and junior colleges, 332 Ha of mixed use developments which will include small crutches, learning schools, community halls, grocery stores, etc
Landmarks AUGUST 2015
Landmarks are proposed to create an identity and sense of place within SEED development. Assembly and Secretariat: The two functions are proposed within one landmark complex that creates the main image of Amaravati City. This building cluster has been strategically positioned to represent the State Government headquarters. It offers unencumbered views of the Krishna river to the north, the Neerukonda hill to the south along the north-south ceremonial axis. City Gallery: A gallery is proposed showcasing the development history and the heritage of the City. This occupies the nothern tip of the ceremonial government axis and also will become one of the gateway developments when the bridge to west of the SEED development comes up. Convention Center, Indoor Sports Center, Arts & Cultural Center, Performing Arts Center: Few of these nodal buildings are proposed as terminations of the central and most important section of the waANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
terfront. They help in structuring the SEED development and concentrating the focus and importance of public uses on the waterfront. Iconic Towers: The two buildings along the central boulevard abutting the Amaravati Plaza are proposed as the iconic twin towers that will help create a modern image for Amaravati. These will be the tallest buildings in the City. Gateway Bridge and Commercial: The first bridge that will be constructed and become the gateway to the new capital city is the one on the eastern edge of SEED development. To provide and enhance mobility and accessibility to the citizens, the master plan provides a transport hierarchy that comprises of an integrated network of metro rail network of about 12 kms, bus rapid transit of about 15 kms, downtown road of about 7 km, arterial roads and sub-arterial roads of about 26 kms and collector roads of about 53 kms, with varying broad right-ofways.
19
Gateway Downtown
Amaravati Seed Development Master Plan
Government Core
Waterfront
Special emphasis has been laid to enhance development of extensive walkways and pedestrianisation interlinked with open and green spaces with a blue and green network of more than 25 kms to promote walk-to-work environment and non-motorised transport. The Seed capital conserves more than 40% of the green areas and the blue areas in the seed capital sprawl over 50% of the Seed Capital. The Seed Development Phase 1 is estimated to be completed by mid 2018. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said he had asked the Singapore government to join the ‘Amaravati Development Partnership’ under the Swiss challenge method for seed capital development in a long-term association. S. Iswaran, Second Minister for Trade and Industry, said, “This is where the beginnings of a great city
20
will be established and Singapore is honored to play a small part through the master plans for Amaravati. However, our partnership with Andhra Pradesh will begin from this point by assisting them in the development of capital city. We will continue to collaborate on development of Amaravati.”
Singapore Developers likely to bid
Two of Singapore's township developers are likely to bid for projects to develop Andhra Pradesh's new capital city, Amaravati. AscendasSingbridge and Sembcorp Development have expressed interest in building the city project. "We will study the master plan... when it is available, to identify areas where we could potentially participate in and contribute our expertise in urban development." Manohar Khiatani, Deputy Chief Executive of Ascendas-Singbridge,
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
was quoted as saying by The Straits Times. "India has always been a key market for Ascendas-Singbridge and Andhra Pradesh is an exciting chance for the firm to deepen its presence in India," Khiatani said. Iswaran said the master plans have been completed on schedule and Singapore is keen to help the city implement it. "This collaboration has also opened up more business and investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh and India for Singapore companies," The Straits Times quoted S Iswaran, as saying. The Singapore Minister said the plan envisaged a city which is vibrant and livable and also offers opportunities for economic development and job creation. v
AUGUST 2015
The project will increase the capacity of the state to respond promptly and effectively to an emergency. It will specifically benefit over 13 million people in the four severely affected districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari.
T
o restore, improve and enhance the resilience of public services and livelihoods of communities affected by Cyclone Hudhud in Andhra Pradesh, the Government of India, Government of Andhra Pradesh and The World Bank signed a $250 million (Rs 1,587 crores) credit agreement for Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project. The project is aimed at specifically benefitting the four severely affected districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari. Through the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project, the state will restore the damages caused to roads; public infrastructure including environmental services and facilities; and increase the resilience of the power infrastructure as well as that of its communities from impacts of future disasters. “The coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh are highly vulnerable to natural disasters that can push millions into poverty. Apart from reconstructing public infrastructure, the Project will help the state be better prepared for the future by strengthening its disaster response system,” said Onno Ruhl, World Bank Country Director in India. In order to reduce the vulnerability of Visakhapatnam’s electrical network, the Project will lay the power distribution system underground. AUGUST 2015
$ 250 MN FOR AP DISASTER RECOVERY
About 700 km of 33kV, 11kV and 415 volts network lines will be converted to underground cable network. About 800 km of rural roads and 250 km of major district roads will be rehabilitated. Old cyclone shelters will be repaired with friendly design features for the elderly, women, and children. Investments will be made along the beachfront of the city of Visakhapatnam, which would include pedestrian walkways, street lighting, public toilets, landscaping and for its protection from erosion. The Project will also help reconstruct the severely damaged zoological park at Visakhapatnam and ecological park at Kambalakonda. It will assist in restoring the lost shelterbelts, windbreaks and mangroves along the coast and support livelihood opportunities of poor vulnerable coastal families by building nurseries that would supply saplings for farm forestry. A broad range of investments will be made in strengthening the state’s disaster response systems through better search and rescue equipment, wireless communication, and mock drills and awareness programs in schools and villages. The credit is from the International Development Association (IDA) – the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm with a maturity of 25 years, include a 5 year grace period. ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
In October last year, a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) ‘Hudhud’ made landfall on the coast of Andhra Pradesh, near the city of Visakhapatnam. The Government of Andhra Pradesh was proactive and managed to evacuate close to 250,000 persons living in low-lying areas and helped limit the death toll from the cyclone to 61. However, it caused major damage in 26 cities and towns, in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and East Godavari districts, and affected about 9.2 million persons including 3 million urban populations. “While reconstruction is a key component, a strong disaster response mechanism will play a crucial role in not only saving lives and livelihoods, but also in achieving sustainable recovery and long-term disaster risk reduction. The Project will, therefore, focus on providing technical assistance in localized and sustainable risk mitigation work,” saidDeepak Singh, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist and the Task Team Leader for the Project.
Highlights of the Project
It aims to increase the capacity of the State to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency. It will have these components: a
Resilient electrical network
a
Restoration of connectivity and shelter infrastructure
a
Restoration and protection of beach front
a
Restoration of environmental services and facilities and livelihood support
a
Capacity building and technical support for disaster risk management
21
5 Central Institutes to commence this year
All set for five Central institutions to function from this academic year
F
22
ive out of the seven Central institutions allocated to the Navya Andhra Pradesh by the Central Government will start functioning from this academic year. HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao who recently reviewed the status of the institutions with the district officials and representatives from the mentor institutions said that IIM–Visakhapatnam would commence functioning from September 14, IIT–Tirupati from August 5, IISER-Tirupati from August 10, IIIT-Kurnool from July 28, and NIT-Tadepalligudem from mid-September. Final approval for the remaining two institutions-Tribal University and Central University- was still pending, he said. The Minister said that the Tribal University would come up at Relli village of S Kota mandal in Vizianagaram district for which 526.2 acres had been allotted. The University would temporarily function from the JNTU-Kakinada campus till the construction of the permanent building. The Central University, to be mentored by the Hyderabad Central University, would be located in Jentuluru village of B K Samudram
244 acres in Srinivasapuram, Panguru and Chindepalli villages of Yerpedu mandal in Chittoor district alotted for Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)-Tirupati. Admissions will be provided to 75 students who will be mentored by IISER-Pune. Srirama College of Engineering at Tirupati will be the temporary campus.
IIM Vizag mandal in Anantapur district on 491.23 acres. However, these two varsities would function only from the next academic year.
Education Hotspots IIT Tirupati
The premier institute will be established in 563 acres in Merlapaka village of Yerpedu mandal in Chittoor district. It will offer 120 seats comprising civil, mechanical, electrical and computer sciences which will have professors from IIT-Madras as faculty. It will function from a temporary campus located at Chadalawada Venkatasubbaiah College of Engineering in Tirupati, while accommodation will be provided at the 21st Century Gurukul in the temple town.
IIIT-Kurnool
25 seats each have been allotted for CSC and ECE courses at IIIT-Kurnool. Institute to be set up in 124 acre at Jagannadha Gattu and Dhinne Devarapadu villages. Institution will function from the temporary building set up at IIITKanchipuram which would act as the mentor institution.
IISER Tirupati
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
Centre sanctioned 60 seats for IIMVisakhapatnam which will be established in 240 acres at Gambhiram in Visakhapatnam district. Senior professors from IIMBangalore will be deployed as the faculty. Andhra Bank School of Business on Andhra University campus will be the temporary campus. Efforts on to provide accommodation to students who obtain admission.
NIT Tadepalligudem
The NIT-Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district will be established in 350 acre identified in Vatluru and Bhogapuram villages. From 2015-16, the NIT will offer 480 seats in biotechnology, chemical engineering, civil engineering, CSC, EEE, ECE, mechanical, and MME where students from Andhra Pradesh will get 240 seats. An additional 60 seats will be offered at NIT-Warangal as supernumerary seats for Andhra Pradesh students. The institution will function from the temporary campus located at CR Reddy Engineering College in Eluru, where NIT-Warangal will mentor the institution. v
AUGUST 2015
AP E for
LPG
connection for all households
AUGUST 2015
fforts are on to make Andhra Pradesh the first totally LPG state in the country. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is keen on LPG supply to every household in the State and the process might be completed by December this year. There are 1.75 crore LPG connections in the State and 25 lakh of them are inactive. In addition, 45 lakh LPG connections are needed to make AP the totally LPG State, according to Director of Civil Supplies G. Ravi Babu. The additional connections were being sought from the oil companies under their CSR activity. For providing LPG connection to all households, there was a need to improve the distribution system and network of supply, particularly in the villages and Girijan areas. Officials say that once the LPG network is totally in place, the State could save between Rs 350 crore and Rs 400 crore on subsidy to kerosene, while a huge amount of firewood would be saved.
The Civil Supplies Department would deploy technology to complete the process. A house-to-house verification would be done to find out homes without LPG connection and application would be collected from the head of the family and registered at the Mee Seva centres. The applicant would get an SMS and the Assistant Supply Officer would verify the application and sanction the connection same day. The application would be linked to Aadhar card so that duplication would be avoided. Director of Civil Supplies G Ravi Babu agrees that extending the scheme to the Girijan areas was not an easy affair since large refills could not be carried into the interior villages. In such cases, the 5 kg refill which also has a stove was being proposed. The State Government would approach the Centre to bring the five kg refills under the subsidy purview.
CM for piped gas
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu met Union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan at Visakhapatnam recently and sought speedy implementation of the piped gas supply for the house project in the state. Naidu urged the Union Minister to give priority for supply of natural gas from the KG Basin to local gas-based industries, and sought 4.1 million new gas connections for the state over the next two years. He also urged him to set up the petroleum university, as promised in State Reorganization Bill, from this academic year. The state government has identified land in East Godavari district. Naidu also asked the Petroleum Ministry to grant CSR funds to the State as the Ministry has been lifting gas from the KG basin on a large scale. The Chief Minister has also requested sanction of gas supply through pipelines to 20 lakh houses and urged the minister to choose Andhra Pradesh for research and pilot projects related to Oil and Energy. v
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
23
A
Etikoppaka
TOYLAND OF NATIVE CHARMS cclaimed amongst the finest achievements in wooden handicrafts, Etikoppka toys embody grace and precision that brings together in one composite whole, an artiste’s imagination, a poet’s sensibility and a craftsman’s skill. Even today, in this village – about 70 km from Visakhapatnam en route Tuni on the banks of rivulet Indesamma Vaaka- descendants of those whose creative spirit and artistic talent had placed this dinky village in Visakhapatnam district on the world map of handicrafts, pursue this hereditary craft with pride and dedication. In their chiselled/turned splendour of artistic form Etikoppaka toys testify to an art form that reached its perfection centuries ago. These toys are made of ‘Ankudu Karra’, a soft country wood available on the hillocks around the village and on large scale in the forests near Narasipatnam and KD Peta. The toys are eco-friendly for no chemicals are used at any stage and even the dyes are vegetable ones. The toy makers are called ‘Adda Panivaru”. Adda is an implement, a wooden native counterpart of the turner. Of course traditional Adda is now a thing of past for all of them now use modern turner. The process of toy making is intricate and time-consuming. Fine wood is procured and is seasoned for at least three months before being turned into chosen design. Even preparation of dyes is interesting. The dyes are prepared with a mixture of various ingredients like skin of pomegranate,
24
turmeric, indigo, karakai (chebulic myrobalan), etc., that are soaked in jaggery mixed water along with iron scrape for a month and then the stuff is boiled and is applied to the product via heated lacquer. They mix turmeric to get yellow, pomegranate for golden brown, karakai for sandal paste hue, indigo and turmeric for green and so on. Not just toys and dyes, even packaging is also eco-friendly. Packed in rectangular boxes or pouches woven with the blades of fresh Palmyra leaves exuding a distinct fragrance, these low priced toys are a joyous part of almost every one’s childhood in this region. Popular as ‘Lakka Pidathalu’ each hand-made and vegetable dyed
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
piece of wood tells a tale of imagination and aesthetics. Bunches of plantains and grapes, Parrot, pigeon, hen, cock, crane, peacock plough, women folk in daily chores and joint family are popular designs. In a way, the toys replicate the rural life with an endearing appeal of native charms. European and his wife, sentry, cannon and some other less sold designs belong to the colonial times. From traditional Adda to modern turner the art of toy making has come a long way and the artisans successfully sailed through the winds of change synthesizing traditional art with modern demands.. However, the lives of the artisans are not as colourful as their toys. AUGUST 2015
With hillocks around getting denuded of Ankudu trees; procurement of wood is now a big crunch. Getting the wood from nearby forests is pricey. However, to overcome it they are growing a nursery of Ankudu saplings over 350 acres on the banks of Indesamma Vaaka. They formed Wooden-lacquer Toy Workers Co-Op Cottage Industrial Society way back in 1949, which worked well till a decade ago and is now in doldrums. Unfortunately, banks do not extend loans to toy making. If Bank loan is made available, surely the artisans of this art work could find a turn in tide of their woes for better. For many of these artisans making ‘lakkapidatalu’ has been a wine of their lives rather than bread basket. For Kommoju Veerraju, a diploma holder in mechanical branch, it has been a family calling down generations and forms an integral part of his living. “Down generations,” he says, “it sustained our families; I cannot emotionally afford to leave it. I may find a job with my polytechnic qualification, but it does not give me the happiness that I draw from being in my family calling”. Moreover he could provide some work to others here; it is heartening to see the beaming dedication to the artwork even in these days of not so lucrative orders. It is no different with Mahesh another artisan who did his bachelor degree in commerce. He finds it better to pursue the traditional family work rather than working for paltry sums in the towns nearby. ‘It gives me pleasure and sense of achievement when I carve a new design’, he avers with beaming confidence. However, Nagamayya, an octogenarian, does not share this buoyancy. For him Elysian days for this artwork remain only in its fond memories. “We used to work only during day time for there was no power in those days and could feed AUGUST 2015
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
the big joint families well’; now the demand for machine-made toys in wide ranging media from plastic to cast iron is high and they flood the market at throwaway prices, our boys cannot afford to sell the sweat-spun products that cheap nor they can leave the toy making totally,” he bemoans. Like the making of toys by artisans, selling of them is also a family business for some down generations here. Selling the lakkapidatalu has been, says S Srinivas, our business for three generations. An Intermediate drop out, who learnt the ropes in the biz from his father, he has been selling lakkapidatalu for over decade in his well-established shop in this village. Though not as profitable as it was during earlier times, he finds it fairly good enough to sustain his large family. The lakkapidatalu forms an inseparable part of any child’s life in this region. Playing with these in childhood carries its fond memories long in one’s life here. “Our childhood,” says Grandhi Srirama Krishna, “a development officer in LIC, is incomplete without these lakkapidatalu.” Even the festive fairs in north coastal Andhra stand deficient without the presence of make-shift stalls where children thong to buy lakkapidatalu. They are not just toys for children; they make for good pack of gifts for several occasions of household celebrations as well, observes Ramakrishna A visit to Etikoppaka makes one realize that how blinded by western influence we rush headlong for the things foreign discarding the beautiful tradition that endured for centuries.
Velcheti Subrahmanyam
25
TOLLYWOOD ACTORS MAKE A BEELINE TO EXPLORE TAMIL CINEMA A slew of Telugu actors are gearing up to test their fortunes in Tamil Cinema; however, the road ahead is anything but easy, writes Hemanth Kumar
O
ver the past few decades, when Telugu and Tamil film industries grew by leaps and bounds, almost in tandem with each other, it almost seemed like the exchange of talent could kickstart a new chapter in South Indian cinema. Filmmakers like K Balachander, Balu Mahendra, Mani Ratnam and Shankar made films in
26
Tamil and Telugu and on a similar note, actors like Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth carved a niche for themselves in Telugu film industry. On the other hand, a select few Telugu directors like K Vishwanath, Kodi Ramakrishna found takers in Tamil Nadu, thanks to films like Shankarabharanam and Ammoru which did quite well at the box-office. However, the ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
trend didn’t last long and except for a select few Telugu actors and directors, not many met with considerable success in Tamil. The 90s was perhaps the most defining era of Telugu cinema. The popularity of actors like Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna and Venkatesh was at its zenith and later, actors like Pawan Kalyan and Mahesh Babu became the new youth icons. Amidst all this, Telugu cinema rarely crossed regional barriers and it wasn’t until the late 2000s that filmmakers began exploring other markets. Meanwhile, Tamil filmmakers and actors continued to dub their films in Telugu and given the fact that the then undivided state of Andhra Pradesh had twice the number of cinema halls compared to Tamil Nadu, dubbing films in Telugu became a lucrative option. Ironically, the vice versa proved to be a major obstacle. Not many Telugu films, that were dubbed in Tamil, were able to find takers and more than that, the failures resulted in a notion that the Tamil audiences don’t encourage Telugu films in general. But is it so? And did Telugu film actors fail to grab several opportunities to make a splash in Kollywood? The answer is a definite yes. If the resounding success of AUGUST 2015
While several actors today are keen on acting in bilingual films, not too long ago actors like Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan and Ravi Teja missed a string of opportunities to work with some of the biggest names in Kollywood, like Shankar and Mani Ratnam. SS Rajamouli’s recent films - Eega and Baahubali in Tamil Nadu, is anything to go by, it’s clear that Telugu cinema has the potential to capture people’s imagination, no matter what the market is. What’s necessary is a serious intent to explore different territories, aided by good marketing and stories that might appeal to all types of audience. For instance, Eega, a revenge drama about a fly, was a story which everyone could relate to and Baahubali, which was a visual extravaganza, too impressed a lot of people in Tamil Nadu. The success of these two films has given a glimmer of hope to several actors in Telugu cinema to test their fortunes in the neighbouring state. In the next few months, actors like Mahesh Babu, Naga Chaitanya, Nagarjuna, Prabhas and Rana Daggubati are gearing up to enter Tamil film market in a big way, and others like Allu Arjun and Manchu Manoj have been hinting about it for a while now. While Prabhas and Rana have already impressed quite a lot of people with their respective performances in Baahubali, it’s now Mahesh Babu’s turn to expand his market. The latter’s upcoming film Srimanthudu is going to be dubbed in Tamil as Selvandhan and it’ll be simultaneously released on August 7. Interestingly, his next film, Bramhotsavam, directed by Srikanth Addala, is going to be the first bilingual film in his career. In a recent interview, Mahesh Babu said, “I was born and raised in Chennai, and I’m fluent in Tamil, but essentially I am a Telugu guy and a Telugu actor. For a Tamil debut, I wanted to make sure the script is the right one. We are hopeful Bramhotsavam will be that film” Similarly, Prabhas too expressed his interest in acting in a straight Tamil film in near AUGUST 2015
future and even stated that he can speak Tamil fluently since he grew up in Chennai for few years. Perhaps, Nagarjuna has the best shot at cracking the Tamil market with his upcoming film in Vamsi Paidipally’s direction. The untitled film also has Karthi and Tammannah in lead roles and it’s being simultaneously made in Telugu and Tamil. The actor had previously acted in films like Payanam, which was released in Telugu as Gaganam and Ratchagan, which released back in 1997. Taking a cue from him is his own son, Naga Chaitanya, who is expected to make his debut in Tamil next year. Currently, he’s acting in a film in Gautham Menon’s direction. While several actors today are keen on acting in bilingual films, not too long ago actors like Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan, Ravi Teja missed a string of opportunities to work with some of the biggest names in Kollywood like Shankar and Mani Ratnam. Few years ago, Mani Ratnam had approached Mahesh Babu for couple of films including the film adaptation of Ponniyin Selvan and another spy thriller, however, neither of these films took off due to budget constraints and lack of availability of dates. Similarly, Mahesh Babu was Shankar’s first choice for the remake of 3 Idiots, but the actor didn’t agree to do the film. On the other hand, Ram Charan and Ravi Teja were reportedly in talks with the likes of Gautham Menon and Venkat Prabhu respectively; however, the discussions weren’t fruitful. Now, compare their career choices with those of actors like Suriya, Karthi and Vikram, who have been actively promoting even their dubbed films in Telugu. It’s easy to see why Telugu actors haven’t been ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
able to make a splash outside the realms of Chennai and to an extent, Coimbatore, which several Tamil actors are now household names in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Although it’s never too late to enter into a different market, the vast cultural difference between Telugu and Tamil audience could prove to be a huge challenge for actors and filmmakers to find acceptance in Tamil Nadu. The rawness of Tamil films, with a touch of realism, is in complete contrast with the overtly escapist cinema that’s prevalent in Tollywood. On top of that, the kind of comedy which is unique to Telugu cinema might be lost in translation when it’s dubbed into Tamil. Apart from these factors, the dearth of theatres might prove to be a big challenge for filmmakers and producers to make inroads in the Tamil market. There is no doubt that it is the next big frontier for Telugu film industry to explore, considering how keen almost all the top stars are to act in Tamil films; however, it’s a million dollar question if the Tamil audience too will accept them with open arms. In the near future, the only defining feature to make this into reality will be, a good story. It’s as simple as that. Sadly, that’s the code which a lot of writers and directors haven’t been able to crack in Telugu cinema yet. The road ahead is tough and it might take several years before we see Telugu actors straddling the two markets with ease, but, right now, the most important thing is to take that first step in a new direction. March South ahoy!
Hemanth Kumar CR
27
When
Naidu played vitalrole in making APJ Abdul Kalam President…
APJ Abdul Kalam, who passed away on July 27, was a people’s President, and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu played a crucial role in building a consensus on his candidature.
C
hief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who described the late former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam as an ‘icon of the nation,’ was actually instrumental in proposing Kalam's candidature for the post of the President. Chandrababu and Abdul Kalam's friendship goes back a long way even before Kalam became the country's President. In fact, it was Chandrababu who played a key role in convincing the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to bring all the political allies of NDA and even the opposition parties together to accept Abdul Kalam's candidature as the Indian President. A day before 10th June 2002, Naidu made several frantic phone calls to all the opposing parties from across the country and played his part in convincing them for his proposal of Kalam for President. Naidu was the one who informed Abdul Kalam about his wish and requested him not to say 'No' to Vajpayee, who was to call him very soon.
28
Kalam himself recollected this incident in his book ‘Turning Points: A Journey through Challenges’: “As I was walking back, Prof A Kalanidhi, the vice chancellor of Anna University, joined me. He said that my office had received many telephone calls during the day and someone was frantically trying to get in touch with me. As soon as I reached my room, I found the telephone was ringing. When I answered, a voice on the other end said, The Prime Minister wants to talk to you. While I was waiting to be connected to the PM, Chandrababu Naidu, who was the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, called me on my cellphone. He told me to expect an important call from the Prime Minister, adding, ‘Please do not say no.’ While I was talking to Naidu, the call from Atal Bihari Vajpayee materialized.” Paying rich tributes to the visionary former President, Naidu said it was his good fortune that he also played a ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
role in suggesting Kalam for the top post when National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was in power at the centre. "I also advised then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that Abdul Kalam will be the right choice as he will inspire youth and enhance the country's prestige," he said. The Chief Minister said he would never forget the day when Kalam came to his office in the Secretariat and shared his vision of India. He recalled that Kalam set aside all protocols as a President to call on him when he was recovering after a bid on his life by Maoists in 2003. It was a working day in Andhra Pradesh on the day Kalam died, as Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the former President was against declaring a holiday on his death. "Don't declare a holiday on my death, instead work an extra day. This was his message," Naidu said, paying tributes to Kalam at a meeting held at the state secretariat. v
AUGUST 2015
chief minister’s
social network
CM Chandrababu Naidu is an active social media user. Many of you have been actively following his activities with admiration. Here are a few snapshots from his Twitter account.
w w
w
w
AUGUST 2015
w
Compiled by Shruti
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
29
VIZAG BEACHES to be developed with Water
Sports
K
eeping in view the huge potential to put Vizag on world tourism map, six beaches will be developed with water sports and other facilities here by December-end. During an interactive session with Confederation of Indian Industry in Visakhapatnam in July, Neerabh Kumar Prasad, Principal Secretary, Tourism, said the State government had promoted ‘Destination Vizag’ in a big way at Beijing International Tourism Expo and would send teams to woo investors and tourists during JATA Tourism Expo in Tokyo and World Trade Market in London. He said as part of augmenting infrastructure, they had sought expression of interest for improving facilities at two old beaches and creating four new beaches in the city, which are Rushikonda, Bhimili, Sagarnagar, Yendada, Thotlakonda, and Mangamaripeta. The beaches will have changing rooms, cafeteria, umbrellas, and other facilities. Prasad said they were also taking steps to introduce cruise tourism in the city by developing a cruise terminal in the port area. Stating that they had big plans to promote Vizag, he said it just like ‘igniting a PSLV which ready for launching.’ He said the city meets all requirements for promotion in eight themes envisaged in the tourism policy. The themes include beach and waterbased, eco tourism, religious, heritage, MICE, recreation and adventure, spiritual and medical tourism. Besides developing a tourist resort at Lambasingi in the Agency, which attracts tourists for sub-zero temperature, they were developing an USP for Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimhaswamy temple at Simhachalam.
Tirupati to be made wedding destination
Tourism Principal Secretary also revealed that the government would promote Tirupati-Tirumala as a wedAUGUST 2015
ding destination by offering VIP darshan coupons to the newly-wed and four of their family members as part of a package. Stating that religious tourism would be promoted on a grand scale, he said the government wanted to attract more tourists to Tirupati-Tirumala. “This will also help us in promoting meetings, incentives, and exhibitions in Tirupati,” he said. He said a meeting with marriage event organisers and travel operators would soon be convened in Tirupati. Meanwhile, along with Kerala, Andhra Pradesh is making a strong pitch to woo travelers from China. Andhra Pradesh, which has caught the eye of Chinese investors after the April visit of its Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is also making an effort to attract Chinese tourists showcasing its facilities like the 974km-long coastline of Visakhapatnam as well as Buddhist centres like Amaravathi which too had ancient links with China. According to Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng, Andhra Pradesh is becoming a centre for Chinese investments, specially the Kakinada Port. AP is making efforts to lure the Chinese through the state’s Buddhist heritage.
Rajahmundry to be cultural capital
The government would develop the historical city of Rajahmundry as the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh. Even as it is already popular for music, cultural and literary events for several centuries now, the city would be developed into a centre for promotion of Telugu culture, arts, literature and tourism, CM N Chandrababu Naidu said. Delivering a keynote address at a seminar on ‘Telugu History and Culture’ organised by the information and public relations department in Rajahmundry, Chandrababu Naidu said that the island villages in river Godavari would be developed as tourism destinations to attract investments to Rajahmundry, thereby paving the way for the city’s developANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
ment in various sectors.
Tourism Promotion Bureau
The Andhra Pradesh government is mulling setting up a Destination Tourism Promotion Bureau (DTPB) on the 'Not for profit' public-private partnership (PPP) model with representatives from both government and private tourism sector for development of the tourism in the state, according to Neerabh K Prasad, principal secretary (tourism), Andhra Pradesh. In his keynote address, Prasad said that nine themes with 42 sub-themes have been identified for promoting tourism in the state. The nine themes include beach and water-based tourism, eco-tourism, Buddhist tourism, religious tourism, heritage tourism, MICE and infrastructure development, recreation and adventure tourism, spiritual and wellness tourism and medical tourism, he added.
Educational Institutions
The government also has action plans related to enhancing educational institutes related to tourism such as a tourism and hospitality university in AP and an Indian Culinary Institute by the central government at Tirupati. The government is also working towards a toll free number for the safety and convenience of tourists. Further, the Vat Act has to be amended to bring it down to 5% instead of the existing 14 %,
Tourism Policy
The tourism industry, meanwhile, is happy with the the AP Draft Policy on Tourism. K Lakshminarayana, chairman of the Tourism Committee constituted by the AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (APCCIF) said that the tourism industry was happy to note that the draft policy provided for incentives in VAT, waiver of registration charges, subsidised power supply and so on. v
31
S
HAPPENING AP
emester pattern, choice-based credit system and a revamped syllabus, with focus on improving employability skills, are being introduced for degree students from this academic year in all universities in Andhra Pradesh. Beginning August, it will be mandatory for students of first year degree courses in all disciplines to learn certain new skills. These papers will be in addition to the courses introduced in 2013-14 in human values and professional ethics, environmental studies and Indian heritage and culture. With the choice-based credit system being introduced, students will have to get a minimum of 120 credits to qualify for the degree at the end of the third year.
N S
ational Institute of Ocean Technology, the nodal agency for studying the erosion of the beach in the city and recommend measures, has submitted its draft report on the steps to be taken to prevent erosion of the beach in Visakhapatnam. The draft report suggested that a sill be erected as a short-term measure at 220 m. Besides the sill that is erection of geo-synthetic tubes, the report recommended that beach be nourished by dredging beach harbour sand. The geo-synthetic tubes and nourishment by dredging sand are short-term measures that will cost around Rs 16 crore.
ix more parking bays will be developed at the Visakhapatnam International Airport. This would allow up to a dozen aircraft of airlines, especially domestic carriers, arriving late in the night to park their aircraft overnight and launch early morning flights from the city. Sri Lankan Airways is seriously considering launch of a direct flight between Visakhapatnam and Colombo.
F
or the first time, the City of Destiny is set to host the official Independence Day parade this year. The State government has decided to organise the event at the local hotspot — Ramakrishna Beach. Post-bifurcation in 2014, the official function was organised at Kurnool, where Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu took the salute at the Police Parade Grounds. The government has plumped to hold the event in Visakhapatnam in a bid to promote ‘Brand Vizag’, which is also a Smart City in the making. Some 10 to 14 contingents drawn from various battalions such as Armed Reserve, AP Special Police, civil police, and other elite forces such as Octopus and Greyhounds are likely to be part of the marching contingent.
M
inister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar said a working group would be appointed to study the issue of downsizing Kolleru Lake. Accompanied by Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Javadekar made an aerial survey of the freshwater lake straddling Krishna and Godavari districts and met vil-
32
lagers of Kolletikota.“I have heard your problems. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has asked to me to explore options to downsize the lake. I will appoint a working group to study your problems, including downsizing of the lake,” Mr. Javadekar told the villagers.
T
he A.P. Forest Department is planning to construct a massive zoological park and a biodiversity park in the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) limits in Guntur district, and the department is already in talks with the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests over finalising modalities of the project. At present, there are two zoological parks – the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), which is spread over 600 acres at Visakhapatnam and the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park (SVZP), which is spread over 5,000 acres at Tirupati. With the Union Ministry almost giving its nod for the de-notification of forest lands in Krishna and Guntur districts, the A.P. Forest Department now plans to construct a massive zoological park and biodiversity park in the close vicinity in the CRDA limits. They will be state-of-the-art parks with all amenities for visitors.
C
T
ommissioner of Collegiate and Technical Education B Udaya Lakshmi said that the AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), in collaboration with its industrial partner Siemens, will set up six Centres of Excellence (CoE) in the next few months. In addition to facilitating engineering colleges to host the CoE, the Higher Education Department was upgrading the curriculum in tune with the industry requirement and it was encouraging B.Tech students to take break for a year (called ‘gap year’) after the first year of their studies to pursue courses in entrepreneurship and other job-oriented courses for improving their skills. Addressing a workshop jointly organised by the APSSDC and in Vijayawada, Udaya Lakshmi said a Private Universities Bill was on the anvil and skill development was assigned to the institutions as a thrust area.
he AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has decided to construct a superstructure with a built-up area of three lakh sft atop Hill No. 2 of Rushikonda, which is fast emerging as Madhapur of Telangana. The building will be constructed in an area of four acres near Sunrise Startup Village on Hill No. 2, which is part of the Madhurawada IT Special Economic Zone. The building will become home to plug-in and plug-out operators. Part of the space would be allotted to start-ups. Space will be allotted to small, medium, and large IT players so as to make Visakhapatnam a prominent IT hub. Visakhapatnam, which has prominent IT players such as Wipro, Tech Mahindra, HSBC, Concentrix, IBM, and Cyient, is estimated to have clocked a turnover of Rs 1,800 crore to Rs 2,000 crore during 2014-15.
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
AUGUST 2015
I
n a bid to step up surveillance on the red sanders smuggling activity, the Forest Department is getting ready to employ drone cameras in the Seshachalam forests. In the existing setup, as many as 26 high-end fixed cameras, measuring 1.5 metres in length each, have already been engaged to focus on the vantage locations abutting the exit points of the forest. The new initiative is expected to boost the department’s technology portfolio to tackle the growing crimes in the forest areas, the officials feel. A demonstration on the operation of drones was given by a defence research company recently.
C T
ity-based Sravan Group, which clocked a turnover of Rs 72 crore during 2014-15, has decided to develop a worldclass logistic park and free trade warehousing zone in Visakhapatnam. The group, set up in 1997, made a humble beginning with a seed capital of Rs 5 lakh. The logistic park and free trade warehousing zone will be developed keeping in view the efforts to make Visakhapatnam a container hub. The park and zone is expected to be operational by 2017 in the city limits.
he historic Victoria Jubilee Museum that was closed last year for taking up renovation works will be reopened for public from August this year. The Department of Archaeology and Museums began the works after museum’s roof and a portion of the railing were damaged. The works were carried out at a cost of over Rs 50 lakh granted under the 13th Finance Commission. The museum was constructed in 1887 by Robert Sewell in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria coronation.
T
he Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned Rs 69 crore towards making Chittoor the horticultural hub of the State. The district, which is already a pioneer in white revolution, is all set to make it big in horticulture, thanks to abundant mango production. As part of achieving double-digit growth, demonstration farms will be developed through the development of ‘farmer-producer organisations’ in Tirupati and Srikalahasti, to facilitate farmers to directly sell their produce.
A
Singapore-based venture capitalist proposes to incubate at least 100 startups in Visakhapatnam in the next five years. The venture capitalist, Govin Holdings Pte Ltd, would validate the idea and once the proposal was accepted, give them space and incubate them, handholding them through the baby steps of raising resources and creating market, among others, managing director and CEO of Govin Holdings Anand Govinduluri said. The company was allocated 6,000 sft in the building that houses the Sunrise Startup Village. second phase would start soon.
AUGUST 2015
A
production plant of Unicharm India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan-based Unicharm Corporation, was inaugurated by the consul-general of Japan, Mr. Seiji Baba at Sri City in Chittoor district. Unicharm president and CEO Takahisa Takahara said the company's strategy is to expand it business in India and increase its production of childcare products in phases. The current production plant, built on 40 acres, is the second unit of Unicharm in India.
A
T
new regional airline which will have regular schedules from Hyderabad to Tirupati and Rajahmundry was issued permit by the The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline, Turbo Megha Airways Pvt. Ltd, is South-India based backed by Telugu film actor Ram. The Hyderabad-based airline would start services from July 12 and operate under the brand Trujet, Vankayalapati Umesh, founder and managing director of Turbo Megha Airways said. He also said the airline would start two ATR aircraft, with seventy seats, and add one more aircraft next month. It would increase to five aircraft by early next year. From July 26, the airline would have regular schedules from Hyderabad to Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Aurangabad, Bengaluru, Mangalore and Hubli.
he Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has reached its all-time high production across the country by exporting 10,51,243 metric tonnes of marine products, valued at Rs 33,441.61 crore during 201415. Andhra Pradesh played a major role in increasing the foreign exchange by exporting 2,79,727 metric tonnes of shrimp (worth nearly Rs 13,000 crore), followed by Tamil Nadu (32,785 metric tonnes), Gujarat (30,156 metric tonnes) and Odisha with 22,539 MT.
N T
TPC Simhadri Super Thermal Power Station at Parawada near here will expand its capacity from 2,000 MW to 3,600 MW. “With adequate support from the authorities we want to expand the capacity of our plant from 500x4 units by adding 800x2 units with ultra super critical technology by acquiring land in the adjoining area,” NTPC Simhadri Group General Manager AK Samanta said. “It would be a green power project. The company will need 800 acres for the project.
he tribal museum coming up at Timmapuram in Visakhapatnam would be named after legendary freedom fighter and leader of Rampa Rebellion Alluri Sitarama Raju. Cottages too would be built in the vicinity of the museum to enable tourists to stay there and enjoy the ambience of tribal habitation. The Alluri Sitarama Raju Memorial Tribal Museum coming up on a 4-acre land located on the sea-facing side of a hill has been conceptualised by city-based artist Venkat. v
ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
33
T
Andhra Pradesh – Targeted Outcomes o ensure that Andhra Pradesh graduates to the status of being the best Indian State in terms of human and economic development indicator by 2029, the State seeks to achieve the following outcomes over the next 15 years: s s s s s s s s s
Sustained annual GSDP growth of 10-15% for 15 years Most investor/industry friendly State by 2016 Best State for ‘Ease of Doing Business’ by 2016 Most preferred destination for a range of industrial/ infrastructure/ services sector in vestments by 2018 Best State for Skill Generation and Employment Creation 2018 Best State in the country in terms of efficiency/ quality with highest productivity of investment by 2019 Most preferred destination for R&D, Innovation Centres and Entrepreneurship by 2019 Knowledge and Technology Hub and Centre for Innovation and Excellence with highest value addition in the country per employee by 2022 Transform Andhra Pradesh State economy by 2035 duly sustaining double digit growth during the next 15 to 20 years and beyond.
18 16 21 %
%
s rore 52 c re u 5 , t l 9 u c ,6 Agri Rs 1
stry s 1,24,2 Indu R
%
s rore 40 c
30 ices s 3,25, R Serv
ores 7 cr
19
%
2015-16 GSDP Target (At Current Prices) – Rs 6,19,099 crores
CM
RAIN OR SHINE!
Chandrababu Naidu is not one to be deterred by rain or shine in his relentless drive to make things happen. Here are a few snaps that capture his dierent moods during his long stay at Rajahmundry for conducte of Godavari Pushkaralu. Pic 1: Pic 2: Pic 3:
The Chief Minister attending Cabinet meeting on a rainy day at Rajahmundry covering himself with umbrella. The CM and his wife Smt Bhuvaneswari watching the cultural pageant during the inaugural of Godavari Pushkaralu. The Chief Minster having a laugh with Iswaran, the Second Minister of Trade, Singapore, who ew to Rajahmundry to hand over the Seed Capital Plan of Amaravati.
2
1
3
Regd. No. H-HD-1082/2013-15 Published on: 01/08/2015
APENG/2007/20679
Posting Dt: 6th