A GRAND CELEBRATION
The well-organised Krishna Pushkaralu were observed with devotion along the course of the Krishna river. Vijayawada, however, was the hub of varoius cultural activities with a Tirumala Temple replica, a colourfully lit up Prakasam Barrage and cultural performances.
In a lyrical tribute to River Krishna at the Pavitra Sangamam, well-known dancer P Sneha Sarma presented a Kuchipudi ballet on the river’s journey of life, which enthralled the audience.
CONTENTS Krishna Pushkaram
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Telugu Film Journalism Today
The mega spiritual and cultural event was a grand success thanks to the tireless efforts put in by CM Chandrababu Naidu and the administration.
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Anantapur gets spl package
16 22
Govt in advanced stages of talks on spl status to AP Nandyal-Yerraguntla Railway Line Commissioned
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Snapshot
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Free Sand Policy
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A Reformer and A Journalist: Kandukuri Veeresalingam
Happening Andhra
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AP and Telangana to split assets in 58:42 ratio
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OBIT: Ignited Soul of Letters
AP may get Hyundai arm Kia's plant
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15
Europe beckons Telugu Film Industry to Its hinterlands
Chief Minister’s Social Network
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Sindhu Splash in Rio
Araku Coffee turning into premium brand
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Various developments across the state of Andhra Pradesh.
SC upholds AP Plea on Division of Assets
ANDHRA PRADESH
Published Monthly In English & Telugu Volume:11 September 2016 Issue:3 Salivahana Era 1938
Commissioner S Venkateswar IIS Editor Ramesh Babu Kandula Executive Editor Naresh Nunna
Cover Page Thanksgiving to River Krishna Second Cover The Pushkaralu Celebrations Third Cover Godavari Antya Pushkaralu
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
Photos: T.Srinivasa Reddy, Vijayawada Printed at Caxton Offset Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad Each Issue : Rs 5/Annual Subscription : Rs 50/-
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Where there is a will...
he Chandrababu Naidu Government never misses an opportunity to challenge its capabilities. Krishna Pushkaralu was one such occasion when the Government deployed its resources to the fullest so that tens of lakhs of devotees experienced oneness with nature. The planning and execution that went into 12-day long Krishna Pushkaralu is indeed an example of how a committed administration can pull off the most complex event, with the help and support of a strong leadership.
After conducting the Godavari Pushkaralu on a grand scale last year, the Government did one better this time by smoothly conducting the festival of river, despite the presence of huge crowds everywhere. The deployment of technology on a large scale is another interesting feature this time. The Chief Minister’s constant presence at the Command & Control Centre helped the administration ensure laser focus on every minute detail. For those who find fault with the Government for paying too much attention to a cultural and religious event, it should be mentioned that the experience gained during such events goes a long way in further improving the administration’s interface with the citizens.
Along with the excellent conduct of Krishna Pushkaralu, came another good news for Andhra Pradesh. The stupendous performance of P V Sindhu at Rio Olympics, with the only silver medal ever won by an Indian woman, owes in no small measure to the initiative of Chandrababu Naidu to encourage sports culture in the united state. Specifically, the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy was built on the land given by Naidu for the promotion of sport in Gachibowli. The offer from Andhra Pradesh Government to Gopichand to build a world-class academy in Amaravati is a testimony to the commitment of this administration to encourage sports in a big way in the new state. The will is there; under the dynamic leadership of the Chief Minister, the State is finding its way despite many an obstacle.
Ramesh Babu Kandula Editor
www.andhrapradeshmagazine.org Email: apchiefeditor@gmail.com www.ipr.ap.nic.in
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EDITORIAL
Printed and Published by Ramesh babu kandula on behalf of Director/Commissioner, Information and Public Relations Dept.; Printed at M/s Caxton Offset Pvt. Ltd., 11.5.416/3, Red Hills, Hyderabad - 500 004; Published at Office of Director/Commissioner , I&PR Dept, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, Samachar Bhavan, AC Guards, Hyderabad - 500028. Editor: Ramesh Babu Kandula. Ph: 040-23300258.
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SEPTEMBER 2016
Govt in advanced stages of talks on special status to AP
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ollowing Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union Ministers in the first week of August, there is some movement at the Centre over the Special Category Status. The central government said it is at a "fairly advanced stage" of discussions with the state government and would arrive at a solution shortly. In a brief intervention in the Parliament, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also admitted that at the time of division of the state, the issue of revenue and finances has been "unfair" to Andhra Pradesh, which has to be "compensated". "We are at a fairly advanced stage in discussions with the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and will shortly arrive at a solution," Jaitley said. Naidu, during his meeting with the PM, reportedly told Modi that a special status was assured by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and endorsed by senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. Moreover, all political parties, including the BJP, had supported the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill and thus all parties had responsibility towards Andhra Praesh. SEPTEMBER 2016
CM meeting with PM Narendra Modi in Delhi
After the meeting, Chandrababu Naidu tweeted, "Hon'ble PM has responded positively and assured that promises will be fulfilled. Requested him to convert the assurances into action."
State gets Rs 1,976 Cr
Apparently moved by the continued pressure over the lack of support to Andhra Pradesh, the Centre announced its decision to give special assistance of Rs 1,976.50 crore to Andhra Pradesh during 2016-17. This is part of its commitment to the people and to compensate the financial impact of the bifurcation of the State of Andhra Pradesh. The amount includes Rs 1,176.50 for resource gap, Rs 350 crore for the development of 7 backward districts covering Rayalaseema and North Coastal region and Rs 450 crore as assistance for the capital city of Amaravati.
Total sanction
Thus, with the current sanction of funds, the Centre has so far provided assistance of Rs 8,379.50 crore to Andhra Pradesh. This includes Rs 4,403 crore released during 201415 and Rs 2,000 crore released during 2015-16 in terms of the provisions under the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, 2014. ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
Funds break-up
Accordingly, cumulatively from the enactment of the Re-organisation Act on June 2, 2014 till 2016-17, Rs 3,979.50 crore has been released to the successor State of Andhra Pradesh for bridging the resource gap for the financial year 2014-2015, Rs 1,050 crore for the development of 7 backward districts covering Rayalaseema and North Coastal region and Rs 2,500 crore as assistance for the capital city. The latter includes Rs 1,000 crore released by the Union Ministry of Urban Development for sewerage and drainage schemes at Guntur and Vijayawada cities respectively and Rs 850 crore released up to 2015-16 for the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project, among others.
CM for more clarity
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, however, expressed unhappiness over the latest aid and sought more clarity. "The centre should first clarify whether or not it is granting special status to Andhra Pradesh. What it has given in the form of financial grants is very little. While the revenue deficit is too high, they have given Rs. 1,176 crore now but it's not clear if it is only an instalment," he told reporters.
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Pushkaram, in Indian culture, signiďŹ es the interdependence of man and nature. It is thanksgiving to the river for its bounty. The Krishna Pushkaram, this time round, brought the people and the government together in observing an ancient practice in a modern context.
A COMING TOGETHER
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KRIshNA PushKARAm Expressing gratitude to the River Krishna for the bounty of life.
rishna Pushkaram, a 12-day river festival that comes once in 12 years, witnessed a coming together of all sections of people in Andhra Pradesh as devotees, officials and the Government worked tirelessly to provide once in a life-time experience. The festival has this time seen nearly two crore devotees take a holy dip across various ghats (banks) in three districts of Andhra Pradesh. The State used the government machinery and technology to the hilt to make Krishna Pushkaram a smooth and successful affair. The river festival began with traditional gaiety on August 12 with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his wife Bhuvaneswari joining Kanchi seer Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswati in taking a holy dip in river Krishna at Durga ghat in Vijaywada at the start of the 12-day festival. Deputy Chief Minister N China Rajappa and a host of other ministers also took a holy dip on the occasion. Vijayawada, the hub of the river festival every time, bubbled with activities as lakhs of pilgrims descended in the city every day from various parts of the state. The ghats have been made wider this time to avoid over-crowding and are guarded by volunteers on canoes. Roads leading to the ghats have been divided into separate lanes for pedestrians and vehicles. An army of sanitation workers was deployed in Vijayawada to
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The Chief Minister led the Pushkaaralu from the front, monitoring every aspect for pilgrim comfort. maintain cleanliness. The Chief Minister, who led the celebrations and personally monitored every aspect of the festival - from cleanliness to traffic management and crowd control, said, "I want to inspire the people to associate (themselves) with the river, worship the nature. The river has given us wealth all these years. Now, it's time for us to give back." Devotees also swarmed the hill shrine of Kanaka Durga, the presiding deity of Vijayawada, and other temples. A major attraction of the festival is the daily 'Harathi' (aarti) at the confluence of Krishna and Godavari at Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada. A host of cultural programmes were organised at various places as part of the festival. The CM took the lead by participating in the Harathi every evening every time he was in town. Naidu said, "In the last two years, we had two Pushkarams. One is Godavari, another is Krishna...People are associating with this river...We have used technology in a big way this Krishna Pushkaram...We are using CCTV (cameras) in a big way. Not only law and order, not only traffic, even (in) crowd management and also in cleanliness - in ghats, on roads and in waters," he said. The authorities have also employed drones for close monitoring. As many as 18 drones were deployed.
Technology – driven
The state government launched website Krishnapushkaram.Ap.Gov.In containing exhaustive information about the event, a GPS-based mobile application for people to obtain information on ghats, bus services, etc., besides developing a software application, Kaizala, as an interaction tool between the multidisciplinary teams that have been deployed for Pushkaram duties. Kaizala App was used to send messages to all associated with the festival and for monitoring and coordination. SEPTEMBER 2016
“Technology is helping us to do all these despite the state facing fund crunch. The state government has spent Rs 1,200 crore for Krishna Pushkaram, including for building roads and other infrastructure, the CM said, adding that organisations like Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and Akshaya Patra Foundation have made arrangements for free food for the pilgrims. Students too came forward to help make it a success. Pushkaram or Pushkaralu is celebrated when Jupiter enters a particular zodiac sign every year on 12 rivers on rotation. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and Akshaya Patra Foundation have made arrangements for free food supply to four lakh pilgrims in all every day. Police deployed drones to keep a vigil at all Pushkar ghats while the government administration is using mobile applications to monitor every aspect, including crowd management, related to the event. In all, 170 bathing ghats were readied for the event with Vijayawada city alone witnessing a crowd of about 25 lakh per day.
Nava Harathi
On the lines of Godavari Harathi last year, the Krishna Pushkaram was kicked off with a grandiose Nava Harathi for the river at Pavitra Sangamam near Ibrahimpatham. The Harathi, designed by film director Boyapati Srinu, became the most spectacular visual of the river festival. Devotees in their thousands ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
watched spellbound the ritualistic respects paid to the river goddess by saffron-robed priests. Like the Godavari Harathi, the Krishna Harathi too was offered daily.
Cops turn Good Samaritans
The dreams of inmates of old age and orphanage homes to have a holy bath during the Krishna Pushkarams were fulfilled with police offering them VVIP treatment and taking them to the Punnami Ghat. Director General of Police (DGP) N Sambasiva Rao, City Police Commissioner D. Gautam Sawang and Additional DGs, IGPs brought smiles on the faces of parents and children with their gesture. Police arranged wheel chairs and carried the physically challenged into the waters. About 300 orphans and more than 100 inmates of old age homes took the holy dip. Sambasiva Rao said the differentlyabled devotees who could not come to ghats and offer pujas, felt overwhelmed about the initiative taken up the Police Department.
Muslims take dip at Pushkaram
For the Muslim families of Dachepalli, the Krishna Pushkarams are a part of culture, where they take a traditional dip in the free-flowing waters on the occasion. Nearly 1,000 families gathered at Tangeda ghat for the ceremony on the banks of the river, as it passed Dachepalli mandal in Guntur district. Men, women and children savoured the dip in the cool waters, with other communities joining them.
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Arrangements provided by the Government included free transport, kitchen for supply of free food, free medical camps, among other facilities, which made the spiritual experience more memorable. “It has our village tradition to take bath here as we believe the river has curative properties,” said Ch. Hasan Ahmed, member of the water distribution committee at Dachepalli.
Bottled Krishna water
India Post took up supply of Krishna jal at the doorstep of its customers on the occasion of Krishna Pushkaram. Senior superintendent of Ongole postal division T.A.V. Sarma along with the India Post staff performed pooja before beginning distribution of the holy water of the revered river collected during the ongoing Pushkaram. “Our division stood first among the divisions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the bookings with order for supply of 25,000 bottles of 500 ml capacity,” he said. The Krishna water was purified in 13 different stages for its use for puja and bathing, he added.
Pilgrims prefer ghats in capital region Nestled amid a range of hills, the beautiful ghat located upstream of Prakasam Barrage witnessed a steady stream of pilgrims during the Krishna Pushkaramulu.
Families, both from the State and outside savoured the serene ambience at the ghat. Visitors enjoyed the freshness of river water as it is located upstream of the barrage. The Rayapudi ghat, which is also in the capital region,has also been drawing big crowds.
TTD Temple Replica 8
A replica of Tirumala's Lord Venkateswara temple was inaugurated ahead of the Krishna Pushkaram in Vijayawada. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam's Executive Officer D Sambasiva Rao and other temple officials performed the rituals after installing the Lord's statue, marking the inauguration of the replica temple at Swarajya Maidan, as Kanchi seer Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswati graced the occasion. It has been a tradition for the TTD to build a replica of Lord Venkateswara temple during the Godavari and Krishna Pushkarams, the river festival that comes once in 12 years. Arrangements had been made for distribution of the Lord's prasadam while every devotee was given a pocket-size picture of the Lord. Thousands of devotees visited the temple daily during the Pushkaram.
New-look Amaravati town
In the ancient Amaravati town, the ritual of a holy dip in river Krishna started off amid adequate security and logistics ensuring all comforts to the pilgrims. The three main ghats, measuring about 400 metres and done with rough granite for durability, were built with funds sanctioned under the Centrally-sponsored PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive)scheme. The former glory of Amareswara temple was restored, thanks to PRASAD and funds sanctioned by the Endowments wing. All encroachments were reANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
moved and the cement flooring replaced with rough granite for a traditional ambience. The decorations and the new brass railing in the inner sanctum lent a graceful touch to the place. An exquisite sculpture of Krishnaveni carved from a single block of black granite by artisans of Durgi village in Guntur district was installed at one of the ghats. Fishing boats brought from around Amaravathi mandalam were deployed along the ghats to ensure safety of the pilgrims in the river. Each boat was manned by two persons ready to jump to action if necessary.
Artists unveil story of Krishna at Bapu Museum
The Bapu Museum looked colourful with various hues as dozens of paintings and photographs highlighting the heritage of Andhra Pradesh and the history of river Krishna were showcased both by the Department of Archaeology and Museums and Artist Associations’ Guild as part of Krishna Pushkarams. Vintage photographs, collected and preserved by the department, brought to the fore century-old temples, forts, wells, inscriptions and places of historical importance in various districts. These works are displayed at the coastal museum.
Mini buses come to rescue of pilgrims
The Guntur police and the RTC arranged mini buses to bring pilgrims and their families directly to the pushkar ghat. The pilgrims were ferried free of cost. SEPTEMBER 2016
Millions of devotees who had a holy dip heaped lavish praise on the elaborate arrangements made by the Government. The CM’s pro-active role was particularly lauded by the common people. The South Central Railway provided additional stoppage for 10 more trains at Kondapalli station during the Krishna Pushkarams, taking the total number of trains allowed to temporarily halt at nine stations, to 103. Accordingly, the 10 more trains halted for one minute at Kondapalli station between August 11 and 24.
Handloom expo
The Departments of Handlooms, as part of the Krishna Pushkarams, set up a special handloom expo at the Film Chamber hall at Gandhinagar in Vijayawada. The expo, which was inaugurated by Member of Parliament Kesineni Srinivas and MLA Bonda Uma Maheswara Rao along with MLC Buddha Venkanna featured over 40 stalls from all over the State. “The products are sold at the expo at the production cost,” said organiser M. Nagalakshmi.
A vibrant cultural hub in the making, says CM
In view of the Pushkaram, the Government renovated Thummalapalli Kalakshetram. Inaugurating the new auditorium, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the aesthetically-made up venue would witness debates and discussions during Krishna Pushkarams in which experts would delve into several topics like river linking, Amaravati, Vanam Manam and other projects taken up by the State government. “Students and youngsters should come in large number and participate,” he added. SEPTEMBER 2016
He said soon after bifurcation, the State did not have even a good auditorium to conduct regular meetings. “We took a decision and granted Rs. 8 crore for the renovation.” The Chief Minister asked the denizens to play the role of a good host to perfection and not to indulge in exploitation.
Ibrahimpatnam. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Suresh Prabhu, Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamy of Avadhoota Datta Peetham (Mysuru), and Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and her coach P Gopi Chand were special guests.
The evenings witnessed cultural programmes both at the kalakshetram and the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium.
The government could heave a sigh of relief as the 12-day river festival came to an end without any major mishap. Officials estimated that about 1.92 crore pilgrims participated in the pushkaram.
IMA chips in
Indian Medical Association (IMA) took up the task of imparting basic life-saving skills to thousands of officials and volunteers, who were later posted at various bathing ghats. The IMA taught basic life-saving skills to non-medical staff of the Revenue, Endowments, Municipal and the Police Departments. About 60 IMA members and 300 medicos enlisted with the IMA to provide medical and health services during the pushkarams. Individual corporate hospitals also came forward to provide, doctors, paramedics, ambulances, diagnostic kits and other life-saving equipment.
Grand Display on Final Day
A grand display of Pavitra Harati, cultural performances that reflected the traditions of Andhra Pradesh, and a spectacular show of pyrotechnics, brought the curtains down on the oncein-12-year Krishna Pushkaram river festival at the Pavitra Sangamam ghat near ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
Along with Naidu and his team of top officials, it was an occasion to rejoice for the approximately one lakh government officers and staff, and nearly 15,000 Volunteers in three districts — Krishna, Guntur and Kurnool. What was gratifying to all those who worked relentlessly during the Pushkaram was the widespread appreciation by the masses for the foolproof arrangements made for the festival.
Police win accolades
The role of South Central Railways and the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transportation Corporation as well as the Police was praised as they helped millions in reaching their destinations. From regulating the crowds at the railway stations and the Pandit Nehru Bus Station in Vijayawada city to ensuring their safety at the ghats and extending a helping hand to the needy, they won accolades from the people.
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sINDhu splash in Rio
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usarla Venkata Sindhu made not only Andhra Pradesh but also the country proud by winning the sole silver medal in badminton in Rio Olympics. In the process, she set several records by being the only woman athlete who won silver in Olympics from India. The 21-year-old sensation made the entire country glued to television sets when she played brilliantly against Nozomi Okuhara who enjoyed a better ranking in the semi-finals. Though she could not repeat the feat with Carolina Marin in the finals, what made Sindhu a darling of all sports lovers in India was the fact that she refused to be cowed down in the presence of a stalwart and gave all her till the till the last. Sindhu’s achievement is remarkable not only because she went where no Indian woman could ever reach, but also for inspiring the sporting fraternity of India to dream big. At a time when the country of 120 millions could make little impact on the world sporting stage, Sindhu, along with boxer Sakshi Malik, saved the country from the ignominy of total rout. No wonder, Sindhu was the top searched athlete in Google India, followed by bronze medal winning wrestler Sakshi Malik, as the country was gripped by Olympic fever. A report in Times of India pointed out how Sindhu was not only a great player but also a great sport as was evident in the finals. “Sindhu, defeated but a moral winner, walked up, put her arms around her and gently lifted the weeping champion. They hugged, Marin still sobbing, Sindhu a picture of precious composure. Then as the Spaniard walked to her coach, she left her fallen racquet behind. Sindhu quietly picked it up and placed it at the winner's bag before going on to greet her waiting coach, Gopichand. The gesture said a lot, it showed rare silver mettle.” It was Sindhu fever all the way when the Olympian medallist set her foot on her homeland as she was greeted by huge banners describing her as 'AP's lovely daughter'. CM Chandrababu Naidu, who in a way paved the way for this historic achievement by helping P Gopichand to build the Badminton Academy in Hyderabad way back, handed over a cheque for Rs 3 crore besides a plot in Amaravati for 1,000 square yards. He wanted Gopichand to start the academy in Amaravati and produce many more Sindhus from the state.
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NaNdyal-yerraguNtla Railway Line Commissioned
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ailway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu and other Ministers, commissioned the Nandyal-Yerraguntla railway line and flagged off the Nandyal-Kadapa DEMU passenger through remote video link at the Railway Institute in Vijayawada. The new train No.77401 Nandyal-Kadapa will leave Nandyal at 6 a.m. and reach Kadapa at 9.45 a.m. In return, train No. 77402 Kadapa-Nandyal will leave Kadapa at 10.05 a.m. and reach Nandyal at 1.50 p.m.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu flagged off the Nandyal-Kadapa passenger train through remote video link in Vijayawada.
Train No.77403 Nandyal-Kadapa will leave Nandyal at 2.20 p.m. and arrive Kadapa at 6.05 p.m. In return direction, train No.77404 KadapaNandyal will leave Kadapa at 6.30 p.m. and reach Nandyal at 10.15 p.m. The trains will stop at Madduru, Koilkuntla, Sanjamala, Nosam, S. Uppalapadu, Jammalamadugu, Prodduturu and Yerraguntla stations. Speaking on the occasion, Prabhu said the new train would connect the Rayalaseema region with the Andhra Pradesh capital. The Nandyal-Yerraguntla line had been laid at a cost of Rs.967 crore. Stating that the South Central Railway (SCR) would be developed in all spheres, the Minister said that A.P. would get its due from the Centre and the hurdles would be cleared soon. “I am happy to be a Rajya Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh,” Prabhu said.
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The Chief Minister said the new train and the line were a crucial link for the development of Rayalaseema, which was a backward region. The proposal for the line was made in 1996, and it took 20 years for the
completion of the project, he said.
Boost for exports
“Many limestone, granite, cement factories and ports will get connected with the new railway line and export will get a boost. The Railway Minister has made a proposal for Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with A.P., which was accepted immediately. Beautification of railway stations will be made in the State soon,” Naidu said. He appealed to the Railway Ministry to complete the pending projects, including the three new corridors.
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Venkaiah Naidu said new lines estimated about Rs.18,672 crore and doubling of lines, estimated at Rs 23,137 crore were under examination. He stressed the need for coordination among the State and the Central governments for overall development. The Minister said that about 41 lakh passengers travelled through SCR for Krishna Pushkaram, and thanked the General Manager, Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager and the Krishna Pushkaram Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for making good arrangements for the event.
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AP and Telangana to split assets in 58:42 ratio Following Supreme Court order, Andhra Pradesh will get its due share of 58 percent in assets located in Hyderabad.
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t long last, Andrha Pradesh may get its due in the assets of the united state. Telangana has finally agreed to amicably divide assets and institutions in the 58:42 ratio on the basis of population. According to reports, the Home Ministry has managed to get the two states to set up a fresh committee to divide the assets and the employees of the various institutions and offices and thrash out the final details. There are about 107 training institutions listed under Schedule 10 of the AP Reorganization Act and 89 government companies and corporations under Schedule 9 which are up for division since 2014. A Home Ministry led effort for the division had hit a near stalemate with the two states not seeing eye to eye on the matter. However, a Supreme Court order in March 2016 categorically stating that the 58:42 ratio for division had to be followed for the division, has forced Telangana to fall in line. In fact the only two sticking points likely to keep hanging fire longer, are expected to be on the division of the enviably located Andhra Bhavan in New Delhi and the larger PSUs as the latter's division will have huge logistical and employee related repercussions. The two states have finally agreed to set up a four member committee SEPTEMBER 2016
with an Organizing Secretary and an Advisor from each state to amicably and effectively divide all Schedule 9 assets (as outlined in the AP Reorganization Act 2014) between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Senior IAS officers- K R K Rao and Premchandra Reddy from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will lead the team from their respective states to divide assets at the earliest possible. It is expected that 60-70% of the Schedule 9 assets and PSUs will be divided smoothly through this mechanism. The issue of dividing assets has been rather contentious with Telangana earlier claiming that those assets that lay in its territory should automatically be transferred to them. Andhra Pradesh had strongly objected as most institution were located in and around the capital Hyderabad.
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Finally in March 2016, the division of the training institutions under Schedule 10 tilted in favour of Andhra Pradesh with the Supreme Court recently rejecting Telangana's claims over the assets of the Andhra Pradesh State Council for Higher Education. The SC threw out Telagana's location based argument and ordered instead that the assets and deposits be divided in the ratio of 58:42. As far as Andhra Bhavan is concerned, the issue is nowhere near resolution with Telangana claiming historic right over the entire 20 acre area off Ashoka Road citing that it was the property of the Nizam of Hyderabad and hence rests with Telangana. Andhra has been arguing for the same population based 58:42 ratio for division, asking Telangana to pick the 8 acre area they deem suitable.
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OBIt
Ignited soul of Letters
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“We poets of this age have nourished within ourselves the two opposing forces which produce life. The hour has come when we must choose. It is not merely a question of choosing our mode of behavior; it is a question of choosing our inmost of sense of responsibility. …How are we going to leave our trace on earth? Like a mark which a suffocating man leaves in desperation in the moistened clay?”
- Pablo Neurda
(Our duty towards Life) 14
r. Avantsa Somasundar, tallest of the Progressive writers, breathed his last on 12th August, 2016 after brief illness. He was 92. Over seven decades of his active and illustrious literary life, had published over 103 books and thousands of essays. While he attained his initial fame through his first book of poems titled ‘Vajrayudham’, his later works are no less significant. He touched all genres of Telugu literature beyond poetry; story, literary criticism, drama, radio plays, monographs, translation and children’s literature. He traveled wide and far addressing enthusiasts on Telugu literature, more particularly modern poetry (Abhyudaya kavita) and free verse. In this process he acquired many friends and followers throughout Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. His encouragement of young generation of poets continued till his last. His long and detailed forewords during the early seventies have brought to focus the young writers of the yore; Ismail, Srimannarayana, Dilavar Pratyusha and Viriyala Lakshmipathi need a special mention. His authority on modern poets as well as Renaissance poets in Telugu speaks volumes in letter and spirit. His critically acclaimed renderings on Krishnasastry, Chalam, Puripanda, Narayana Babu, Anisetti and Seshendra are testimony to this. He was adopted by his maternal aunt, who provided initial insights into devotional poetry and Hindu scriptures. He came under tutelage of Krishna Sastry, the famous renaissance poet (Bhava Kavi) at an early age. and had in friends Shashanka, son of Sri Voleti Parvatisam (Voleti Parvatisam and Balantrapu Venkatrao garu are known as Venkataparavatiswara ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
kavulu famous for their Ekanta Seva and translation of many Bengali novels) and Ramsha, another active writer and critic. Somasundar, attracted to Communist Party in his adolescence and was an active participant in their movements to alleviate masses. He was arrested in Quit India Movement and later for participation in tenant farmer agitation. Vajrayudham was banned and its copies confiscated and cases were filed against Somasundar. The ban was released much later. During the Telangana Movement, it was recollected by late Pervaram Jagannadham that Khabardar poem from Vajrayudham was a very popular song in the streets of Warangal. His more than 30 volumes of poetry illuminate his progressive thought and his support to the underdog. He is known for his diction, imagery and content. His unpublished works include his letters with who is who in Telugu that could provide insights into the journey of modern Telugu literature. He established literary trust in his name and for the past 17 years, he celebrated his birthday (19th November each year) by felicitating personalities who have made significant contribution in the field of literature and arts. He lived simple life devoting all his time for reading, writing and discussing with friends of all ages. He used to say “ I do not have any other activity except literature. I live for it.” Every one closely associated with him confirms that he had no other avocation that distracted him from his set goal.
- Prasad Indraganti SEPTEMBER 2016
AP may get Hyundai arm
Kia's plant
A Kia car model
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yundai sibling Kia Motors has finalised its India entry plans and may set foot in Andhra Pradesh for its maiden factory, according to a Times of India report. The company, led by former Hyundai India boss H W Park, is close to announcing its strategy and may pump in investments of around Rs 5,000 crore with an initial capacity to produce 3 lakh cars annually, sources said. A high-level team from the Korean company reportedly has been camping in India for the last many months, and Andhra Pradesh leads a list of states which the company has shortlisted for potential investments. Other states in fray are Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. "A formal announcement could be made in the next couple of weeks. Kia officials are working on lastminute details, and looking at potential investment benefits offered SEPTEMBER 2016
by the state governments, before they make an announcement," a top source said. "Andhra Pradesh is surely the front-runner." The Kia plant is likely to come up at Tada area abutting Nellore and Chittoor districts. Sri City, located here, is already home to Isuzu Motors. Park, who has a close understanding of the Indian market due to his stint in the country, is keen to set up operations fast as he sees India as the next engine for growth for the auto market, notwithstanding the current slowdown. "The plant location at Andhra Pradesh is being seen as strategic as it is within 80 km of Hyundai's Sriperumbudur plant (near Chennai) in Tamil Nadu. Suppliers will be close, and also the port connectivity will not be far," a source said. Sources said Kia's facility may also be used to produce cars for ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
Hyundai's line-up, though there will not be any sharing on the retail front. "Kia will like to position its front-end operations as an independent entity, rather than looking at piggybacking on Hyundai. This has been the philosophy for the company across markets and India will be no different," a source said. Kia's best-selling model (4.66 lakh units in 2015) in overseas markets was the B-segment Rio (known as 'K2' in China). The Sportage compact SUV was the second best seller with 3.99 lakh units sold, while C-segment Cerato (known as 'Forte' or 'K3' in some markets), Optima (D-segment sedan) and Soul urban crossover followed with sales of 3.57 lakh, 3.08 lakh and 2.03 lakh units respectively. It has already started the process of identifying possible models and key suppliers. Kia sold a little over 3 million vehicles last year.
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ANANTAPuR GETs sPL PACKAGE state celebrates
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INDEPENDENCE DAy in Rayalaseema
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By selecting Anantapur for the flag-hoisting and announcement of the largesse, Naidu, chose to give a fitting reply to those who were spreading the perception that Rayalaseema and the state’s most backward and drought-prone district were being neglected.
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n a gesture more than symbolic, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu not only held the 70th Independence celebrations in Anantapur, but also proved his commitment to the Rayalaseema region by announcing Rs. 6,554-crore special development package for Anantapur district for a plethora of steps that include drought-proofing. This is the second time that the Independence Day celebrations were taken to Rayalaseema region in three years after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. In 2014, Kurnool was the chosen place for unfurling flag. By selecting Anantapur for the flaghoisting and announcement of the largesse, Naidu, chose to give a fitting reply to those who were spreading the perception that Rayalaseema and the state’s most backward and drought-prone district were being neglected. “Anantapur was always close to the heart of NTR, our party’s founder. We will name this Rs. 6,554-crore initiative after him and with his inspiration I want to take it forward. A major part of it — Rs. 1,764 crore — will be utilised for drought- proofing.” The other components include Rs. 2,400 crore for agriculture, Rs. 1,423 crore for horticulture, Rs. 775 crore for dairying, Rs. 850 crore and Rs. 450 crore for the Peruru and Bhairavanitippa irrigation projects respectively, another Rs. 450 crore for reviving and modernising 450 tanks. The number of farm ponds will be doubled from the current target of one lakh. All these are aimed at drought-proofing the district. SEPTEMBER 2016
“We will ensure that entire Rayalaseema region which was neglected in the Congress rule sees all-round development.” Unfurling the tricolour at the Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Police Training College (PTC) stadium, Naidu reiterated his vision of making the State the best in the country by 2029 and the most developed in the world by 2050 while recalling how the undivided state of Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad developed during his earlier stint ending 2004. He paid homage to the freedom fighters and recalled how Anantapur gave birth to some big achievers like Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft. Devoting major part of his speech to the “unscientific and unfair bifurcation” that left Andhra Pradesh without a capital city and with a deficit budget, Mr. Naidu said the process of separation was based on “a political conspiracy hatched” by the Congress. “While the announcement of bifurcation was made on AICC president Sonia Gandhi’s birthday, the actual separation happened on June 2, Italy’s republic day. We are facing challenges owing to this unfair bifurcation and much of my time is going into facing them.” The Chief Minister presented an overview of the impressive growth achieved in various fields, leading to a double-digit growth in the last two years despite the state being dogged by the bifurcation blues. He explained how the State made a turn-around in the power sector, winning a score of awards, talked about the good show of AP in World Bank Rankings in Ease of Doing
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Business awards. He also spoke about the several visits he had made to various countries to promote Brand AP, and how this had helped in attracting investments worth several thousand crores. Touching upon the special category status and other promises in the AP Reorganisation Act which remain unfulfilled, Naidu said that the State Government would continue to put pressure on the Centre till justice was done to Andhra Pradesh. “There would be no compromise on this count. Due to our constant follow-up, there is already some movement on the special status issue,” he said. Earlier, the Chief Minister reviewed the colourful parade by the police and took salute at the main official ceremony at the Police Training College. Tableaux highlighted various programmes and schemes of different departments. The ceremony showcased the state's rich culture. Ministers, legislators and top officials attended the ceremony.
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Telugu’s
CLAssICAL sTATus uPhELD With hurdles cleared over the classical status, Telugu can now hope to get patronage in the form of various initiatives to be funded by the Centre.
would be lost if it was treated on par with the other languages, which have been conferred classical status. “We do not agree with the petitioner. The prominence of a language would not depend on the development or fall of other languages,” the bench said.
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he status of Telugu as a classical language has been restored at last. The hurdle in the form of a petition against Telugu and other languages has finally been removed. Madras High Court declined to interfere with the grant of classical status to languages other than Tamil by the Central government. The court was disposing of petitions challenging the grant of classical status to Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Odiya and norms governing such conferment.
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First bench comprising Chief Justice S K Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan said an expert body set up for the purpose was satisfied that these languages met the
criteria and the court could not go into the body’s opinions and findings. The bench had on July 13 last reserved its orders on the petitions filed by senior advocate R Gandhi who had challenged the norms governing the grant of the classical status and the status accorded to the four languages. “From the records it is evident that the expert body was satisfied that the languages comply with the eligibility criteria. Therefore, this court cannot go into the opinions and findings of the expert body,” the bench said in its order in August. The court also said it disagreed with the petitioner’s stand that the prominence of Tamil languge
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Rather the growth and importance can be attributed only to the usage of language and creative contribution in the forms of arts and literature, it said. The bench said it was for experts to verify that the languages satisfy the norms and recommend for the declaration of classical status. Having satisfied themselves, the experts had recommended declaration of the languages in consideration to be classical. “Facts which made the expert body to recommend promulgation of such declaration has also been placed before us. As such we do not find any reason to interfere with the impunged declaration,” the judges said. Holding that the court cannot convert itself into a forum for debate on such matters, the bench said if the petitioner still felt that the languages in question did not satisfy the criteria for grant of classical status, it was open for him to approach the concerned authorities. SEPTEMBER 2016
ANTIquITy Of TELuGu The following is an excerpt of the judgement of the Madras High Court concerning Telugu. Counter affidavits have been filed on behalf of the State of Andhra Pradesh and State of Telangana. It is their case that the specialized body in the form of Expert Committee examined both the claims of Telugu and Kannada languages at its meetings held on 10.06.2008 and 08.08.2008, where after recommendations were submitted. A mere dissent of member/members cannot be a ground to claim that the recommendations were not objective, even though the Government accepted the recommendations. Such a policy decision of the Government, it is submitted, is not amenable to judicial review. Even Tamil language got its classical status only on recommendation of an expert committee. Telugu language, it is claimed, satisfies the elements of antiquity, and also contains the characteristics of the other classical languages of the world. Reference was made as to how Tamil was classified as a Classical language, at which stage the antiquity was judged from the point of view of only 1000 years as one of the three criteria. Subsequently, the requirement was made of a recorded history of over the period of 1500-2000 years and that test was satisfied by the Telugu language. In respect of material for such antiquity, it has been inter alia stated:For instance, the Bhattiprolu stone Buddhist casket in proto Telugu belongs to B.C.3000 (Ref.Epigraphia Indica Vol.ii, page no.232), The Erragudi Asokan SEPTEMBER 2016
Rock Edict in Proto Telugu belongs to 257 B.C. (D.C.Sarkars Ashokan Studies, Calcutta 1979 pages 7-8), the Ghantasala Brahmin inscription. Epigraphia Indica, Vol.27-1947-48, pages 1 to 4 and the pillar inscription of Vijaya Satakarni, Vijayapuri, Nagarjuna Konda etc., belongs to First Century A.D.. Further, Tummalagudem inscription of Vishnukundinas belongs to 5th Century A.D. (Epigraphia Andhrika,Vol.ii pages 9 to 14) From the records, it is evident that the expert body, was satisfied that the languages comply the eligibility criteria. Therefore, this court cannot go into the opinions and findings of expert body. The petitioner also made a valiant attempt in pleading that the prominence of the Tamil language would be lost, if it is treated on par with other languages, which have been conferred classical status, pending the writ petitions. We do not agree with the petitioner. The prominence of a language would not depend on the development or fall of other language.
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TELuGu fILm
JOurNalISM tOday
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hile receiving the Akkineni Nageswara Rao International Award in Hyderabad, the iconic actor Amitabh Bachchan said that it is not Hindi cinema, but it is the Telugu film industry that is producing largest number of movies per year. We are naturally happy with the record, but what about the quality of films made? What about the quality of film journalism that can help cultivate good audience and thereby good cinema? As the saying goes, “ we can expect good films only when we have good audience.” For that one needs good film critics and film journals. Today apart from print media, we have a number of television channels and internet editions to bring film news/views/reviews closer to the film buffs at the click of a button. Unfortunately most of the print and electronic media eyeing for the revenue, vie with each other for film promotional activities rather than critical analysis and in depth reporting. Veteran director Dasari Narayana Rao once called such film journalsim as ‘pamphlet journalism.’ Way back in the late 1930’s long before Telugu film journals made their appearance, the periodicals better known as social magazines, published articles on film related news, views and reviews. In those early years and three decades thereafter, noted writers and well known literary personalities wrote on these subjects. Gudavalli Ramabrahmam, Tapi Dharmarao, Gopichand, Kodavatiganti Kutumbarao, Sri Sri, Arudra, Samudrala Raghavacharya,
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Buchibabu, K. Prathyagathma, Kamalakara Kameswara Rao (both of them later became popular directors), Nanduri Ramamohana Rao and Mullapudi Venkataramana, Ravi Kondalarao were among them. With their writings on cinema, they showed the path for good film journalism. As crass commercialism and hero dominence took over, there was a steady decline in the quality of films made in Telugu. Added to this was the emergence of a new set of film weeklies which were in fact fan magazines aimed at pampering popular stars and directors. The pro-
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ducers and stars too supported such journalism as by then for most actors and filmmakers, cinema is no more an art form but another option for business. As the rot began in the industry, instead of sensitizing, these film magazines followed suit as they have to survive with the advertisement money doled out by the producers who used the film journals as their promotional pamphlets. Forget about unbiased film reviews, even the articles on stars and other prominent figures in the film industry lacked quality. They talk about which star relishes which food, likes SEPTEMBER 2016
which dress and such trivia. Glamour photos of stars occupy most space even in some daily newspapers and squeezed in between all this is a small news item on an experimental movie being made in Telugu. To quote, Harold Ramis, “whenever a critic mentions the salary of an actor, I am thinking, he is not talking about the movie.” As a matter of fact, a reader mostly unaware of how a particular great film, which is again a rarity in Telugu, was made, its uniqueness, why it is so acclaimed etc., Occasionally, a few producers of mega budget movies are giving behind the scenes bites to television channels as part of promos. However such producergiven promo material does not give a clear picture of the problems the technicians had faced during the shoot, how did they overcome them etc., unfortunately neither the print nor the electronic film media seem to consider these are important things to take to their viewers/readers. They may argue who wants to know all this, their readers mostly fans of a popular stars want to know about their favourite stars and they are catering to their need. The fact is most of the readers are interested to know a lot of other things concerning cinema. Great films were made
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in the past and are being made now, not only in Telugu but also in other languages and in other countries too news about them will benefit the readers as well as the local film industry. Film appreciation is an art and film journalism can do the job of educating its readers/viewers on the subject. However the Telugu film magazines do not get anywhere near to it. As for the film industry, it needs no license to start a production unlike other industries, even to start a hotel or a medical shop one needs to get a license. So far as the film industry is concerned, anyone can register with its chamber, can make a film. Such inexperienced producers depend on pamphlet journalism to boost their production. A really tragic state of affairs and the argument for some kind of a check on the new entrants to the film field does not mean a curb on their freedom of expression. One may ask how then we account for the occasional good film in Telugu and some of the best critical reviews we come across on a film. These are rare instances in an industry that churns out over 300 films per year and releases about 200 movies. The pitiable situation is
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that such huge industry can boast of only one or two meaningful films in its list every year. This is not a healthy sign. Then what is the remedy? First of all, the authoritaties concerned should realize the real strength or power of the media. Film appreciation courses should be introduced at the school level. Film society movements should be popularized by Government taking it to the cities and small towns. This will help raise the tastes of the audience towards good cinema by creating awareness among them. The State Government should encourage good film journals by instituting award for film magazines too like the awards now being given to film journalists and books on cinema. As the awareness levels increase, change too takes place. With a receptive Chief Minister at the helm one can expect a film center with a state of the art film institute including a course in film appreciation and film journalism in the State’s new capital city, Amaravati.
- b.k. Easwar
(The writer is a senior film journalist, script, lyric and dialogue writer for the Nandi award winning film, ‘Hrudayanjali.’)
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eNglISh JOurNalIStS frOM aP A REFoRMER AND A JouRNAlIST
KaNduKurI VeereSalINgaM
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ournalists, it is said, take themselves too seriously. First they describe facts, then they see trends, and end up by seeing themselves as trends. It is to the credit of the host of Andhra Pradesh journalists who have over the years made the nation as a whole sit up that they made the nation see them as trends, not merely as trend-setters. Both the concept and content of news have changed since the time these geniuses took up the pen to fight the battle for the country’s liberation, in the hearts and minds of men. If there was far greater submission to “news” then than there is now, by an audience more intelligent if less vast, it was because the readers in those days knew that they were merely watching an epic battle waged by warriors out to save their country rather than their own skin. They hypnotized the readers and audience, without distorting facts. Facts were truly sacred then, not only because they hurt the alien ruler but also for the reason that the people wanted them unvarnished. In short, journalists in general, and those of Telugu land, in particular, were custodians of public faith. They were there to inform and educate their readers, not titillate them. They were not only crusaders for the country’s freedom, but they were also social reformers, for a mentally slavish society could never be really free. It is also to the credit of these journalists that they never attempted an artificial interposition of ‘art’ into journalism as a way of making ‘literature’. They never tried to bring a pretence of literature to the agonizing facts of those times. Art stole into journalism and much of what most of them wrote became literature. Great history has usually been narrative history, but the narratives have been shaped by a point of view, a philosophy of history and of human motives. History is what the unifying passion of the historian brings to scattered facts. And Andhra journalists not only unified facts to make history but unified history to make of it a mosaic. Among them were those who made history. Their list must necessarily be headed by Kandukuri Veeresalingam, a social reformer, social worker, eminent man of letters and, above all, a peerless journalist. When he was born, on April 16, 1848, women had no voice. He gave them voice. They have continued to chant his name for nearly six decades after he himself
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had been silence by death. Today one hears of women’s lib. But it was Kandukuri who conceived it. He practiced what he believed, and professed what he practiced. He was the first to realize that to educate a woman is to educate the entire family. Women’s place, he believed and argued, was not the gymnasium. They had as much right to be educated as did men, and those who wanted them to remain forever in the area of mental darkness only wanted thereby to perpetuate male domination. It needed great moral courage to argue thus in a age when women’s education was a sin and talk of it was the last imaginable impiety. Veerasalingam was a Brahmin---not just by caste but also in the real sense of the term---one who worked relentlessly for the spread of knowledge and human welfare. He was born at Rajahmundry, washed by the holy Godavari. The holiness seemed to have been washed into Veereshalingam Pantulu. His thoughts were holy, actions were virtuous, ideals were humane. His father, Subbarayudu, died while he was still a child. Cossetted by his mother, Punnamma, and brought up by his paternal uncle, Veeresalingam developed a universal vision, engendered by the early
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bereavement. The boy was sick in body but sustained by compensatory mental vigour. He had a quick grasp and a retentive memory and rare concentration. He went to a street corner grammar school and returned a lover of literature. The boy read the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Puranas and acquired a nodding acquaintance with classics. The boy wrote poetry, but there was nothing schoolboyish about it. His classmates and teachers aike alike developed a liking for him. The affection was fostered by admiration for his extensive knowledge and innate wisdom. He married Rajyalakshmamma in 1861. The piously intelligent woman was wife to him and mother to all orphans. Passing a university examination in 1870, Veereshalingam became a teacher in Rajahmundry in 1871 and rose to be headmaster of an English medium school in 1872. He taught the students not only what was there in the books but also much that was not. He asked them to fight superstition. He himself declared a war on it. He wanted scientific thinking to replace blind beliefs. It was repugnant to his own rational thinking that woman should be kept in bondage. The only freedom they enjoyed was the freedom to produce children. Society was unwilling to recognize any other role for her. Kandukuri condemned every one of these habits of thinking, and argued that education was what made a woman of woman. Orthodoxy would hear none of it. The diehards averred that education was really corruption as far as women were con-
cerned, and calculated to insulate female mind from traditional pious living. They quoted the Vedas chapter and verse in support of their quixotic theory. Kandukuri heard it all and countered each argument rationally. Obscurantism had no place in his scheme of thinking. He addressed many meetings on women’s education. In defiance of orthodoxy, he even started a school for girls at Dhavaleswaram in 1874. The movement received massive support, understandably, from women folk. Students who, according to Mathew Arnold, are caught between two worlds, one dead and the other powerless to be born, helped the birth of a brave new world, a world of emancipated women. The orthodox got jitters really when Kandukuri started “Viveka Vardhani,” a monthly journal that preached unorthodox notions like women’s liberation from shackles of orthodox society. The journal, month after month, exposed those who were making good at society’s expense, feeding on its credulity. It exhorted youth to expose them and to work for the building of a progressive society, rid of primitive superstitions. What Kandukuri wrote was read, and felt. It was read because he wrote the common language of men, a language that was people’s own. He talked to them in their own language and they understood it. It was also felt because what he wrote was so true. The directness, concreteness, and precision which characterized his writings in the journal left the people convinced that Kandukuri knew what he was talking and also what he was asking. In an age when expression outran thought, such deliberate thinking could not be ignored. It could be, and, indeed, was, criticized, but never ignored. Journalism was to prove a potent weapon in his hands, a weapon that he used relentlessly against the Seven Devils of orthodoxy.
Kandukuri residence in Rajahmundry
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In 1870 he took up the pen. First it produced a series of articles for various newspapers and magazines. But he was soon tired of what looked like a hit-and-run approach. The fight had to be sustained for it is less easy to conquer the mind than to destroy the body. So, in 1876, he started, besides “Viveka Vardhani” another journal, “Haasya Sanjivani”. It satirized social evils, and had all the elements of Restoration Comedy.
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Swimming against Time’s current, Veeresalingam changed the current of life in Andhra, with no predecessor in his line and no successor of equal stature. His versatility was hardly surpassed while as a writer of prose he was unequalled. - K Iswara Dutt Eminent Journalist, Writer and husband, and thanked Kandukuri’s humaneness for it. He was really a social reformer who had adopted journalism. Yet he ended up as at least as great a journalist as a social reformer. Among his pet aversions were child marriages, marriages of young women with old men, Devadasi system, untouchability, dowry system, corruption. His writings left the world a lot happier place to live in. It was not rid of these evils. It had the evils considerably weakened. K. Iswara Dutt said of Kandukuri: “Swimming against Time’s current, Veeresalingam changed the current of life in Andhra, with no predecessor in his line and no successor of equal stature. His versatility was hardly surpassed while as a writer of prose he was unequalled. Later-day trends and developments in Telugu literature have failed to dislodge him from the peaks on which he stood as a class apart.”
Like Ben Jonson and Congreve, Kandukuri used humour to highlight human degradation in contemporary society. Cheats, swindlers, thieves, debauchees and all other corrupt people started feeling that they were being prodded in the ribs with the well sharpened stiletto of satire. They were all cut to the quick and society stopped bleeding. Kandukuri still had enormous energy left to carry on the fight. He started “Adarsha Vidyarthi Sangh” in 1870 and it proved to be a potent instrument of social reform. Of course, credit for the abolition of the inhuman practice of “Sati” rightly goes to the unceasing efforts of Eswarachandra Vidyasagar and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. But credit should go to Kandukuri and none else for the ending of compulsory widowhood. After all, it was not enough to save a woman from immolating herself on the funeral pyre of her husband if she was thereby only be herself consigned to the burning passions of youthful widowhood. A life saved could not be allowed to burn itself out. This was the noble stand Kanduduri took. Many a widow found a home
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Rajaji wrote: “Andhra Desh and Andhra people could not be what they are if Veereshalingam had not arrived to vitalize them. He was one of the great men of India, of keen insight, great courage and dynamic energy. He fought against untruth and championed the cause of progress with Herculean vigour. Andhra is legitimately proud of him, so should all people in South India who know his work very well. His greatness rests on its own strength and not any memorials we can raise or maintain.” Dr. Radhakrishnan wrote: “Sri Veeresalingam Pantulu was one of the earliest pioneers in South India to demand and work for radical changes in our society. Like all pioneers, who are ahead of their time, he suffered misunderstanding and persecution. We owe it to his memory to work for social regeneration even as he did, braving all ridicule and danger.” Kandukuri died at “Ved Vilas,” his house in Madras on May 27, 1919, after willing away all proceeds from the sale of his books to regular upkeep of the institutions he founded. But his great bequest was freedom, selfconfidence and self-respect to the women of Andhra.
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- Y. V. Ramakotaiah Senior Journalist
SEPTEMBER 2016
INDIA's fIRsT TExTILE CITy LIKELy TO COmE uP IN AP
India’s first integrated textiles city is likely to come up in Andhra Pradesh. The central government has already initiated the process of identifying land, technology and expertise for the same, according to Business Standard.
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extiles Minister Smiriti Irani reportedly spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandra Babu Naidu for providing land and other facilities. With Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party being an ally of the ruling National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, the proposal, mooted by the NITI Aayog, is likely to be accepted. Officials said Irani, along with Naidu and top officials from NITI Aayog, would visit China to get a first hand information on the working and structure of the proposed mega textile city. The city would be largely catering to the export market and build a brand for Indian textiles. China is a pioneer in building such mega textiles cities. The China Textile City in Keqiao district is one such example. Founded in the 1980s, China Textile City is the first national professional textile market spread over a construction area of 3.65 million square metres with 29,000 companies managing 40,000 kinds of products. The textiles sector is the largest employer in the country, employing 32 million people and is critical to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans to create jobs in the country. It announced a special package for the sector in June aimed at improving India’s competitiveness, which would lead to greater production. The reforms, in turn, SEPTEMBER 2016
are expected to generate 10 million new jobs in the textiles sector in three years. The package is estimated to cost Rs 6,000 crore, which includes funds for additional five per cent duty drawback for the garments sub-sector. The government is also working on a revamped national textiles policy, which is expected to be placed before the Cabinet soon. The draft policy focuses on achieving $300 billion exports and 35 million new jobs by 202425. Light Combat Aircraft
manufacturing facility in AP
A weapons integration facility to manufacture Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), said to be the first-ofits-kind in the country in the private sector, will be set up in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh at a total cost of Rs 2,135 crore. Wem Technologies Private Limited is partnering with Lockheed Martin, the largest defence equipment manufacturer in the US, to set up this facility, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said. "We have decided to allot 350 acres of land for this facility spread over Vatluru and Bhogapuram villages near Eluru in West Godavari district. In the first phase, they will invest Rs 635 crore and provide employment to 650 persons. In all, 2510 jobs will be created when the facility becomes fully operational," he said.
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Amaravati set to emerge as influence zone, says report
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he strategic location of Amaravati and the proposed infrastructure development are set to make it a world class centre and an influence zone, according to report. Knight Frank LLP, an independent global property consultancy, which prepared the report said the proximity to urban centres like Vijayawada and Guntur would ensure that the broader capital would be provide large talent pool. Coupled with necessary infrastructure, it would provide a good option for the companies to move into Andhra Pradesh, hitherto largely rural in character. Vijayawada and Guntur would be the two urban centres that would benefit the most from the new capital as their strengths would be fully harnessed. Vijayawada, for instance, could be promoted as the commercial capital and Guntur as the knowledge hub. The report says the capital values in the emerging micro markets like Vuyyur, Autonagar and Poranki are in the range of Rs. 1,800 – Rs. 7,000 per sq.ft while those on the Guntur side like Undavalli, Mangalagiri and Gorantla valued between Rs. 2,200 – Rs. 4,500 per sq.ft. The huge investment commitments from domestic and international corporates across industries like retail, energy, education and hospital cum medical institutions would have a positive impact on Amaravati’s real estate in particular and that of the capital region in general, the report said. The proposed high speed rail corridor with Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad and physical infrastructure like the metro rail would give further impetus to the market. Knight Frank India chief economist and national director-research Samantak Das said the State Government was trying its best to build the new capital city, but it would be a while before it could start functioning from this permanent seat of power. The proposed Greenfield capital had already generated unprecedented interest in the surrounding areas and the two urban centres Vijayawada and Guntur would be the biggest gainers of this interest.
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araKu COffee
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raku coffee flavor is capturing the taste buds of coffee lovers across the world. The coffee grown in the agency area of Visakhapatnam is witnessing a spike in demand, even as plans are afoot to enter instant coffee market. Clean Arabica coffee beans, organically grown in Araku by tribals, has been a premium seller on the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX), The Hindu reported. The Girijan Cooperative Corporation sold 700 million tonnes of the virgin product, known as Araku Coffeee, in the market in just a week. The Araku Coffee has some 14 serious bidders and most of it was bought by a couple of exporters, according to GCC Vice Chairman and Managing Director A.S.P.S. Ravi Prakash. “The demand for Araku Coffee stored at our godown at Narsipatnam in the district is significant in view of the fact that the demand for coffee from traditional sellers has fallen,� he said. The conventional trading platform ICTABengaluru has only seen four to five MT of coffee being bought while Araku Coffee has sold close to 70 MT per day, he explained. The Araku Coffee has commanded a premium over Arabica coffees from across India. Thousands of tribal farmers harvest coffee beans which are pooled by the GCC and processed. The Coffee Board has classified the Arabica from the
region as Araku Coffee. The distinct flavour has given it a high demand in overseas markets, Mr. Prakash said. The tribals, who were being paid around Rs 90 per kg by middlemen, are now getting Rs.90 as first instalment from the GCC and the balance amount is remitted into the account of the farmer on realisation from sale. This year it is Rs.165 per kg of Arabica Parchment and Rs.72 per kg of cherry. The GCC procured 1,400 MT of coffee cherry and produced 800 MT of clean coffee. “We have put up for sale 770 MT and are planning to hold 30 MT for retail sales,” the GCC chief executive officer said. The GCC is selling powdered coffee as GCC Araku Coffee and is soon to launch 70:30 blend of coffee and chicory to be sold as GCC Vaisakhi. It is also planning to enter instant coffee market to address all categories of coffee lovers, he said.
GCC products now at your doorstep
Meanwhile, expanding the availability of its popular range of naturally grown and processed products the Girijan Cooperative Corporation has launched two mobile stores. The two stores on wheels are going around popular tourist spots and residential areas to promote the product range and also sell the products to customers. “In the 10 days since its soft launch the response has been good and in fact we have been able to notch up sales worth Rs 6000 in a two-hour visit to the Beach Road,” Ravi Prakash said. Most of the customers are visiting the
stall and directly buying the products. The most popular are Girijan Honey, Triphala Ras and Nannari Sherbet, next are the soaps and then coffee, tamarind and most of the customers are unaware of the entire range of products sold by the GCC, he added. The mobile stores have already visited Pendurthy, Simhachalam and Gajuwaka and would be going around the rest of the city in phases, Ravi Prakash explained. Franchise model “We are planning a franchise model for increasing the number of outlets. One such franchise is ready for inauguration at Gajuwaka,” he added. The franchisee would be paid maintenance expenses which would ensure that the stores maintain the uniformity and deliver a quality experience to the customer. This is in line with the government plans for providing a sustainable livelihood for enterprising youth, especially educated tribal youth, he said. The positive performance over the last two years has helped GCC wipe out the accumulated losses and the outlook for the future is bright with the proactive support of Tribal Welfare Minister Ravela Kishore Babu, he said. GCC is likely to enter into an agreement with Walmart India to sell its products across India through the Walmart stores. The details are being worked out, he said. GCC and Amul are exploring opening of co-branded stores across the two Telugu-speaking states to market the products of both the cooperatives, the Girijan Managing Director said.
Europe Beckons telugu fIlM INduStry To Its hinterlands Europe has become the hot destination for Telugu ďŹ lmmakers in recent times. It's not just the visual splendour of virgin landscapes of Europe that draw ďŹ lmmakers abroad, says Hemanth Kumar.
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elugu film industry's obsession with shooting in exotic locales abroad has a history of over 30 years. Right from USA to New Zealand, Telugu filmmakers have explored some stunning locales in all the continents in the world, except Antarctica. However, in the past few years, as Telugu film industry kept visiting new locales, one continent has pipped every other region to emerge as the hot destination for our filmmakers and actors - Europe. The lush green landscapes, dotted with snowcapped mountains, along with castles, alleys of cities like Paris, Lyon,
Barcelona and London have become common place in Telugu films like never before. And of late, countries like Bulgaria have become so popular, as filmmaking destinations, that they are even being used as a proxy for other countries. While the Swiss Alps and Keukenhof Gardens in Netherlands were the mainstay in the 90s and early 2000s, the emergence of relatively low-cost destinations like Bulgaria, Spain, Italy and Portugal in the past few years have changed the game. Bulgaria, in particular, is the
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hottest filmmaking destination right now in all of Europe, thanks to its abundance of highly-trained professionals, good logistics support and value for money. Back in 2014, when SS Rajamouli was searching for a location to shoot a key action sequence for his magnum opus, Baahubali, he ended up choosing Bulgaria over several other options. And so did Vamshi Paidipally to shoot several scenes in his recent film 'Oopiri'. Another upcoming bilingual film - 'Jaguar' too has plenty of stunts that were shot in Bulgaria.
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Travel Masters India Corporation (TMIC), one of the key players who are facilitating film shootings abroad, has been instrumental in popularising Bulgaria as the numero uno choice to shoot in Europe. The reasons behind this are aplenty. The budget required to shoot in countries like Bulgaria is a lot less compared to what one would be forced to spend in Germany, France or UK. And several technicians from Bulgaria, who come onboard as action choreographers and stunt directors, have plenty of experience of working in Hollywood productions and high-end TV shows. Saran Raparthy, Head Of Film Logistics at TMIC, says, "The local crew offers great support to our actors and many actors go back with great experiences after shooting in Bulgaria. We recently worked on films like Baahubali, Oopiri, Shivaay, Jaguar and all of them were extremely pleased with the output. Even the Bulgarian crew has gotten so used to the pace at which the Telugu filmmakers prefer to work that they understand our demands better." Then, there's Spain which is clearly a favourite destination for filmmakers like Puri Jagannadh. While Barcelona SEPTEMBER 2016
became a backdrop in Iddarammayilatho, Puri Jagannadh chose Malaga and several other locales in the region for 'Heart Attack'. And recently, the cast and crew of his latest film 'ISM', starring Kalyan Ram and Aditi Arya have been shooting in and around Valencia in Spain. Sreenu Vaitla too has been flipflopping between Spain and Italy for the past few years, whereas VV Vinayak has travelled the breadth of Europe, from Slovenia and Iceland, to shoot songs for his films. On the other hand, Sukumar has chosen England to shoot his two recent films - 1-Nenokkadine and Nannaku Prematho. It's not just the visual splendour of virgin landscapes of Europe that draw filmmakers abroad. It's an open secret in the industry that it's a lot more economical to shoot abroad, a lot of times, than in India. Besides, cinematographers love the soft light that's ubiquitous in Europe, compared to the harsh light and dust in the air that is common in India, especially when it comes to shooting romantic scenes. There's also the prospect of being home sick which propels the entire cast and crew to work for longer hours to wrap up the ANDHRAPRADESHMAGAZINE.ORG
shoot as quickly as they can. "Compared to India, there's Sunlight for longer duration in Europe. Sometimes, the crew works for as many as 14 to 16 hours per day on the sets of the film. The long duration of the shoot, limited resources, and the fact that a lot of them get homesick becomes a catalyst for the entire crew to bond well with each other," says Saran Raparthy. European countries have been betting big on tourism for a long time now and film tourism is slowly turning out to be a lucrative option for several countries that are looking at the Indian market to attract more tourists. Few countries have even come forward to give tax breaks for shooting in their countries and it also results in a boost for the local economy, thanks to the creation of jobs and more economic activity for short periods of time. With so much at stake, it's little wonder that Europe has opened its doors for more filmmakers from Telugu film industry to explore its hinterlands. As long as we get to see our favourite actors create iconic moments in a land far far away, no one's complaining.
- Hemanth kumar CR
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SC UPHOLDS AP PLEA ON DIVISION OF ASSETS Dismisses Telangana petition, saying no case for review
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t last, justice has prevailed. The highest court of the land supported the argument of the Andhra Pradesh Government that the assets of the united state should be divided proportionately. The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by Telangana to review an apex court judgment directing division of pre-bifurcation assets of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) between the two successor States in the population ratio of 58:42. A Bench of Justices V. Gopala Gowda and Arun Mishra rejected Telangana’s review petition against the APSCHE, observing that “no case for review is made out.” “Application for hearing in open court is rejected. We have gone through the review petitions and the relevant documents. In our opinion, no case for review is made out. The review petitions are, accordingly, dismissed,” the Supreme Court observed in a brief order on Tuesday, which was released on Wednesday.
March 18 verdict
With this, the Bench refused to reconsider its March 18 verdict which condemned Telangana’s claim of ownership over the entire funds and assets of the erstwhile APSCHE merely for the reason that they were located at Hyderabad, which is now part of Telangana after the bifurcation. “By no stretch of imagination can it be assumed that the complete takeover of assets of the erstwhile APSCHE by the Telangana State Council for Higher Education, on the ground that the State institution happens to be in Hyderabad, which is now a part of Telangana, was what the legislature had in contemplation while enacting the Reorganisation Act, 2014,” Justice Gowda
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who authored the March 18 judgment had observed. The apex court had set aside the High Court’s decision that the successor State of Andhra Pradesh has absolutely no right over the institutions in the city of Hyderabad solely by virtue of the fact that Hyderabad falls in the successor State of Telangana. The High Court had endorsed Telangana’s view that under Section 75 of the Reorganisation Act, 2014, assets belonging to specified institutions under the Tenth Schedule exclusively belong to the State. Justice Gowda, however, dismissed this. “We are wholly unable to agree with this contention advanced on behalf of the State of Telangana. If this contention is accepted, it would render Section 47 of the 2014 Act, which provides for the apportionment of assets and liabilities among the successor States, useless and nugatory,” the March 18 judgment said.
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‘Sensitive, tricky’
Noting that the “issue of bifurcation of States is both sensitive as well as tricky,” the Supreme Court held that “care must be taken to ensure that no discrimination is done against either of the successor State.” “There must be an equitable bifurcation of the assets and liabilities of the statutory bodies among the two successor States as well, to ensure welfare of the public at large residing within these territories,” the apex court had held. The Supreme Court had directed the apportionment of the assets of the APSCHE between the two successor States in the population ratio of 58:42 as per Section 2(h) of the 2014 Act. It had provided that in case the two States were unable to arrive at an agreement, the Central government may constitute a committee and help the States reach an agreement within two months. v
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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 and those on him.
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HAPPENING AP Tuition fee structure for MBBS, BDS courses
The State government has revised the tuition fee structure for MBBS/BDS courses in unaided minority and non-minority medical and dental professional institutions in the State. According to government orders, the tuition fee for MBBS course for ‘A’ category seats in both private, unaided minority and non-minority medical colleges has been fixed at Rs.10,000 per annum and Rs.11,00,000 for ‘B’ category seats. For ‘C’ category (NRI), it should not exceed five times maximum chargeable fee to ‘B’ category students per annum. For undergraduate dental courses in private, unaided minority and non-minority dental colleges, the fee has been fixed at Rs.10,000 per annum for ‘A’ category, Rs.4,50,000 for ‘B’ category and not exceeding five times maximum chargeable fee to ‘B’ category students. The tuition fee is payable annually for four academic years and there will be a five per cent increment in tuition fee per year to offset inflation.
Amaravati will be constructed by 2018
Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development P Narayana said construction of the capital city at Amaravati would be completed by 2018. Plots to the farmers who gave their land for pooling would be given away on lottery basis in October and November. Speaking at a workshop on ‘Mana Amaravat, he said Rs. 5 lakh crore was required to build a world-class capital city. . Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu wants the city to be able to provide economic stability, viability, and opportunities to people, he said. Many MNCs are showing interest in setting up their shops in Amravati, but they need infrastructure and proper climate to operate, he added.
Venkataramana Reddy new NMM Director
Vemuri Venkataramana Reddy, former Director of Sri Venkateswara University’s (SVU) Oriental Research Institute, was appointed as the Director of National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM), New Delhi. The main objective of the mission is to preserve, conserve and publish the ancient knowledge hidden in various places across India. Prof. Reddy reiterated his resolve to preserve the manuscripts and propagate the ancient knowledge, besides encouraging various institutions, scholars and students with training programmes on manuscriptology and palaeography (study of scripts used for writing).
Changes to oBC lists notified 32
The Union Government has notified several significant
changes in the central list of castes/communities for inclusion/amendment/ deletion in respect of the State of Andhra Pradesh and inclusion of several castes/communities in the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for the new State of Telangana. The gazette notification dated August 11, uploaded on the government website listed modifications in respect of 109 castes/communities in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Third rail line between Vijayawada, Gudur
The Central government has given its approval for the construction of the third rail line between Vijayawada and Gudur Junction at an estimated cost of Rs.3,246.60 crore. The expected completion cost of the project, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is pegged at Rs.3,875.68 crore. The 287.67-km-long third line, part of the Grand Trunk route connecting the northern and southern States, is expected to be completed in six years. The section contributes significantly to the movement of foodgrain to the southern States and it would augment services of freight trains catering to demands at various loading points.
Senior journalist Kasipathi passes away
Eminent journalist and orator, Yadhati Kasipathi, who was a sympathiser of the then People’s War Group, passed away recently. He was 75 and is survived by wife Pushpa and two daughters - Pragathi and Vennela. He had been ailing for a few years. A native of Anantapur district, he spent most of his life there. For long he worked for the Telugu daily ‘Andhra Prabha’. His news items were also published in The Indian Express . A voracious reader, he used to be found in his stuffy office surrounded by papers. An accused in the Parvathipuram conspiracy case, he was also jailed for a while. He was attracted by the Leftist ideology primarily due to top Communist leader Tarimela Nagi Reddy.
Jaladi awards presented
Actor Sharat Babu and lyricist and poet Chandra Bose have received the Jaladi Jeevan Saphalya Puraskaram and Jaladi Atmiya Puraskaram respectively during the 85th birth anniversary of the noted poet and lyricist Jaladi. Minister for HRD Ganta Srinivasa Rao presented the awards. MLAs V. Ganesh Kumar and V. Anitha, actors Gollapudi Maruthi Rao and Vankayala Satyanarayana, star-maker L. Satyanand and founder president of the trust Jaladi Vijaya were present.
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Rs. 32 crore sanctioned for Rajakas
Andhra Pradesh Washermen Cooperative Societies Federation Limited Chairman Rajahmundry Narayana, during a visit to Chittoor district, said that about Rs.32 crore has been sanctioned, for the current financial year, aimed at the development and welfare of Rajakas, across the State. He later addressed the officials, during the review meet, and urged them work hard in achieving the targets, so as to contribute towards their financial development via government welfare schemes. “Hasten the construction of dhobi ghats across the district and hold regular review meets, once every three months, to keep a track of implementation of welfare schemes” he added. Narayana said that the federation would tour the districts and identify problems at the grassroots-level, before submitting a memorandum to the government.
NTR Trust to open schools in all districts
NTR Trust, the not-for-profit trust of the Telugu Desam Party, working in the areas of education, livelihood, and others, will set up NTR Model Schools in each district of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the coming days. The schools, presently with three branches in Hyderabad, Warangal, and Krishna districts, have so far extended education facilities to close to 3,000 underprivileged students, mostly orphans, within the schools as well as outside. “We want to extend a helping hand to the underprivileged students so that they come out of the vicious cycle of poverty, factions, and extremism,” NTR Trust trustee Nara Lokesh said. Lokesh said that the Trust was planning to expand its operations to cover at least 5,000 students in an academic year by 2020.
GE to invest up to $31 m in wind project in AP
GE Energy Financial Services will invest up to $31 million in a subsidiary of independent power producer Mytrah and thus support development of a 200 MW wind energy project in Andhra Pradesh. Mytrah Vayu (Tungabhadra) Pvt. Ltd has entered into a definitive agreement with Guayama P.R. Holdings B. V., an investment vehicle of GE Energy Financial Services in this regard. Announcing this the IPP with focus on renewable energy said that GE has agreed to invest $ 31 million in MVTPL to support the development of a 200 MW wind energy project in Andhra Pradesh. GE will invest up to 49 per cent of the capital of MVTPL.
the facilities at Kalyanakatta, is also toying with the idea of interlinking the monolithic structure with the old free meals complex which at present has been transformed into a Pilgrim Amenities Complex (PAC-IV). TTD Executive Officer D. Sambasiva Rao said that it had become imperative on the part of the management to focus its attention more on the Kalyanakatta as 35,000 to 50,000 pilgrims get their heads shaved every day at the monumental structure in fulfilment of their prayers. The erstwhile free meals complex, which at present is equipped with more than 140 bathrooms, in addition to locker facilities and commodious foyers will go a long way in absorbing the impact of crowds if connected to Kalyanakatta. The interlinking of both the monumental structures will also drastically trim down the waiting time of the devotees being spent in the queue lines.
daily flight from Vizag to Kolkata
IndiGo introduced its first non-stop daily flight between Visakhapatnam and Kolkata with effect from August 15. Flight no. 6 E-885 will leave Kolkata at 10.30 a.m. and arrive visakhapatnam at 12.25 p.m. and in the return direction 6 E -886 will take off from Visakhapatnam at 12.55 p.m. and reach Kolkata at 3 p.m. The introductory all-inclusive one-way fare has been fixed at Rs.2,999. “Expanding operations in Visakhapatnam is in line with our growth strategy outlined for the domestic skies. The new flights are launched to cater to the needs of both business and leisure travellers, who are on the lookout for new and affordable flying options,” Aditya Ghosh, president of IndiGo, noted in a statement.
Stone laid for State police headquarters
The new headquarters for the Andhra Pradesh Police will be built within four months on the premises of the APSP 6th Battalion at Mangalagiri in the capital region. Located at a distance of 15 km from the Secretariat in Velagapudi, the police headquarters is the second major government office in the capital region. The building would house the office of the DGP. It would come up on 75,000 sq. ft. area on a site overlooking the National Highway. Director-General of Police N Sambasiva Rao said that the state-of-the-art building in the reserve forest area would be built in complete conformity with global standards. The ergonomic design of the building would ensure optimum utilisation of space. The G+4 structure with glass facade would be fully air-conditioned to ensure comfort for staff at all levels.
TTD to make improvements at Kalyanakatta
The TTD, which is seriously contemplating to improve
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fREE sAND POLICy
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or the first time in the country, people in Andhra Pradesh are availing sand free of cost, following AP Free Sand Policy which came into force from March 2016. The state government is expected to forgo a revenue of over Rs 200 crore due to the policy.
As per the Policy, the sand in Andhra Pradesh is available free of cost for all people. Restrictions had been imposed on storing excessive quantity of sand and mining in the areas where sand mining is prohibited. Criminal cases entailing huge fines and imprisonment had been put in place in case of violation of the policy.
Status of sand reaches
• Number of reaches earlier operated by SHGs : 383 • Number of currently operational reaches : 508 • Quantity available in the currently operational reaches : 163 lakh cu m • Number of identified reaches for which EC is to be obtained:17 (13 lakh cu m) • Total reaches : 525 (176 lakh cu.m)
Vigilance activity
• Task forces created at Village, Mandal, Divisional and District levels • Number of border check posts established : 71 • Number of cases booked : 242 • Number of vehicles seized: 442 • Number of persons arrested : 376
Status of Call Centre
• Call centre established on 21.03.2016 to receive complaints pertaining to sand excavation • Toll free no. 1800 599 4599 • Call centre is operational 24 hours a day in 3 shifts
Mana Sand Mobile App
The Mines & Geology Department is developing a mobile app called 'Mana Sand' where in users can upload the details of the sand requirement and can also find the details of vehicle transport and details of the loading point and destination. The mobile app “Mana Sand” is being implemented as a pilot project in Srikakulam, Vizainagram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari Districts.
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SHOWING GRATITUDE
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Pic 1: Godavari Antya Pushkaralu celebrated with fervour in Rajahmundry.
Pic 2 CM Chandrababu Naidu felicitating Olympic silver medalist P V Sindhu in Vijayawada.
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Pic 3: CM in a mock badminton match with P V Sindhu on the felicitation stage in Vijayawada.
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Regd. No. H-HD-1082/2016-18 Published on: 01/09/2016
APENG/2007/20679
Posting Dt: 6th