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Dancing into guinness WorlD recorDs

he classical dance of Andhra Pradesh ‘Kuchipudi’ found organised as part of the ‘5th International Kuchipudi Dance a place in the Guinness World Records when a record Convention’ organised by the state Department of Language 6,117 dancers came together to present a show at the IGMC and Culture. “Jayamu Jayamu” is one of the glorious items of Stadium in Vijayawada on December 25th evening. Guin - ‘Kuchipudi’ dance choreographed by the legend Vempati ness adjudicator Rishinath declared that “Jayamu Jayamu” China Satyam. item presented in unison by the participants created a new “We aim to take Kuchipudi to a global level. It will highlight record and handed over a certificate to Andhra Pradesh Telugu culture & encourage new talent,” said Chief Minister Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Chandrababu Naidu was who received the honour from the The “Maha Brunda Natyam” (grand group dance) was Guinness representative. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in C O N T E N T S

Striving for Digital Economy Symbol of Secularism 20 6

Andhra Pradesh is pushing hard to herald a cashless digital economy in the aftermath of demonetisation move of the Centre. Speaking 14 5 His Mind AP’s role in evolving 25 National Flag

Paytm Office in Happening Andhra Visakhapatnam Various developments across the 32 state of Andhra Pradesh. Nadikudi-Srikalahasti A.P. Cabinet clears pro - 15 foundation stone laid posals for five smart cities 9

Mori becomes first 26 10 Centre releases Rs 1981 digitally literate vil - 16 An Epic cr for Polavaram lage in country Year Ahead! From the CM’s 34 Chief Minister’s desk 29 Social Network

12 Polavaram Irrigation Project 30 Sona Springs

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ANDHRA PRADESH EDITORIAL Published Monthly In English & Telugu Volume:11 January 2017 Issue:7 Salivahana Era 1938 Hope smiles in the New Year Commissioner S Venkateswar IIS he New Year augurs well for the fledgling state of Andhra Pradesh as it rings out the one gone by. Even as the rest of the Editor country is grappling with the implications of the demonetisa - Ramesh Babu Kandula Ttion move, the happening state has been able to make tangible Executive Editor progress in ushering a digital economy. NCoavreers Pha gNe unna While the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has covered the whole Unveiling Digital Economy gamut in heralding cashless transactions in the state, the cap in the Second Cover feather is certainly the transformation of a tiny village in East Kuchipudi Guinness Record Godavari district into a cent percent digital village. Third Cover CM in various proigrammes Mori will be an inspiration for all those who believe technology is an instrument of change for the better. Many Silicon Valley entities Fourth Cover partook in turning the village into a smart place to live in. APIIC Advt on Sunrise State AP Government’s Fibre-net initiative has also been rolled out in the village, which will come in handy in enabling cashless transactions. Published by: The piped gas project, to be piloted in Mori soon, will reduce Information & Public Relations considerably the domestic drudgery to the rural women folk, when Department it covers the entire state. Government of Andhra Pradesh There is no better news to the state than the possibility of expeditious Hyderabad - 500 028 completion of the Polavaram Project. The release of first tranche of Ph: 040-23300258 funds by the Centre will be fully utilised by the Chief Minister who has been single-mindedly pushing for its speedy execution. Views expressed by various authors in this issue reflect their In a major initiative, spillway works on the multi-purpose Polavaram personal opinions. hydel project also got under way in December. Diaphragm wall works are set to be launched in the first week of January. Design Many more things which have been in the pipeline are likely to take Karthik Beesu shape in the year to come, even as the Chief Minister turns every challenge into an opportunity. Photos: T.Srinivasa Reddy, Vijayawada In the words of German poet Rainer Maria Rilke, the year ahead is, “Full of things that have never been” for the state of Andhra Pradesh. Printed at Caxton Offset Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad Each Issue : Rs 20/- Annual Subscription : Rs 220/- www.andhrapradeshmagazine.org Email: [email protected] Ramesh Babu Kandula www.ipr.ap.nic.in Editor

Ramesh babu kandula M/s Caxton Offset Pvt. Ltd

Printed and Published by on behalf of Director/Commissioner, Information and Public Relations Dept.; Printed at ., 11.5.416/3, Red Hills, Hyderabad - 500 004; Published at Office of Director/Commissioner , 4 I&PR Dept, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, SamachAaNr DBhHaRvaA nP, ARCA GDuEarSdH s,M HAydGerAabZaINd E- 5.O00R0G 28. Editor: Ramesh Babu Kandula. JANUARY 2017 Ph: 040-23300258. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Paytm Office in VISAKHAPATNAM

Paytm has registered a strong surge in payments transactions across all major cities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana including Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad.

aytm has instituted a new gion’s development and reflects its im - preferred payment mode. Paytm is ac - corporate office in the coastal portance as an important market for cepted everywhere such as taxi, autos, city of Visakhapatnam. us.” petrol pumps, grocery shops, restau - Andhra Pradesh CM Chan - “Our mission is to make cashless pay - rants, coffee shops, multiplexes, park - drababu Naidu was present at the in - ments a way of life across India’s cities ing, pharmacies, hospitals, kirana augural event to officially welcome the and towns. We will ensure there are shops, newspaper vendors and many company’s operations in the city. more merchants across Andhra more. With its strong focus on mobile Within the last few weeks, Paytm has Pradesh accepting Paytm than ever payments, Paytm is inching closer to registered a strong surge in payments before”, he added. its aim of making cashless transac - tions a way of life across India. transactions across all major cities in Merchants across India can start ac - Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in - cepting Paytm at zero extra cost. They To support the growing demand for cluding Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam have to simply log on to cashless solutions in the region, Paytm and Hyderabad. To support the grow - Paytm.com/business and fill an online has also announced that it will add ing demand for cashless solutions in form to start accepting payments over 1,000 offline agents to its Andhra the region, Paytm has also announced using Paytm’s PCI-DSS certified tech - Pradesh and Telangana team. it will add over 1,000 offline agents to nology. The company has even waived “Our Vishakhapatnam campus is a its Andhra and Telangana team. off its 1% transaction fee for transfer - showcase of our commitment to the Speaking at the launch, Vijay Shekhar ring money to the Bank to facilitate region’s development and reflects its Sharma, Founder-CEO, Paytm said, “An the ongoing shift in customer and importance as an important market easy and affordable digital payment merchant behavior towards going for us. We will ensure there are morve solution can help democratize the cashless. merchants across Andhra Pradesh ac - payments sector in India. Our cepting Paytm than ever before,” JANUARY 2017 ATNoDdaHyR oA vPeRr A1D.5E MSHnM ofAflGinAe ZmINeErc.OhaRnG ts 5 Vishakhapatnam campus is a show - across India accept Paytm as their Sharma added. Pcase of our commitment to the re - Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

STRIVING FOR DIGITAL ECONOMY

Andhra Pradesh is pushing hard to herald a cashless digital economy in the aftermath of demonetisation move of the Centre. Being the Chairman of the Committee on demonetisation, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been devising effective ways to execute a seamless payment system that can be adopted by the common man.

ince the day higher denomi - In a relatively brief period, the CM Cashless transactions were the need nation notes were banned by came up with various measures, of the hour to tide over the currency the Centre, Chief Minister AboPth P audrmsie nistrative and technologi - crunch. “The government is intro - Chandrababu Naidu has cal to switch over to the new system ducing Marpu Nestam, an agent, to been on a mission to ensure that the with least amount of disruption. educate the people on digital finan - transition to the new economy is cial literacy. The government will least disruptive to the common man pay incentives to the agents who One of the major initiative of the in the state. He had been continu - train the people in digital financial Chief Minister was the launch of ‘AP ously monitoring the situation, hold - literacy.” Purse’, a mobile app, as a first step to ing meetings with district collectors, enable digital payments in the state. Engineering students would be en - senior officials, bankers and the RBI Unveiling the app, the CM explained couraged to train people. It would to find ways and means to amelio - that 13 mobile banking and 10 mo - help them to earn while learning. rate the problems faced by the peo - bile wallets were available in the The government wouJldA NreUcAogRnYi s2e 017 6 ple in transacting day to day ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG purse and could be used to pay bills. the services of the colleges and the business.

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The Chief Minister has been stressing on on a simple solution - AadharPay. It is a cashless payment system which needs only a smartphone and a biometric reader, can be used for transferring money with a thumb impression.

students for their service to society plementing the scheme. ple following demonetisation. at the time of crisis, he said. Under the scheme, unemployed AadharPay, a cashless payment sys - The Chief Minister, who is closely youths, students, SHG members, and tem which needs only a smartphone following the cash crunch since the others would be given an incentive and a biometric reader, can be used day one of demonetisation, an - of Rs.15 for first time introduction of for transferring money with a nounced the smart phone applica - an individual / vendor to digital thumb impression. tion to promote digital wallets transactions and Rs.20 for a mini - The trader (or recipient of money) leaving everyone including the tech- mum of five transactions carried out needs a smartphone fitted with bio - savvy people stunned. by the individual / vendor within metric reader as an accessory. "I The app’s beta version was released one month from the date of intro - struggled for 40 days. I had sleepless within less than a week of demon - duction. nights. We searched the world and etisation and is available on Google As far as villages were concerned, it broke our heads to find a solution. Play for android devices under the was decided to reward those vil - But now, Babu has come up with a developer account ‘Andhra Pradesh lages, or groups of villages, wherein simple solution that will transform State FiberNet Limited’. each household and business estab - the nation," the Chief Minister said The application is an e-wallet aggre - lishment had at least one bank ac - at the conference of District Collec - gator that lists 15 applications pop - count and at least one person tors. ular and being used by smart phone digitally literate for carrying out dig - He felicitated the Collector at the users. Paytm, Airtel Money, ital cashless transactions. conference. "Aadhar-enabled pay - Freecharge, Mobikwik, Jio Money, The reward would be given in the ments are the best way (to over - SBI Buddy, PayU Money, Ola Money, following four categories, based on come the currency crisis). We will Oxigen, Citrus, Vodafone m-pesa, Population Census of 2011: discuss this in our committee meet - Rupee, Icash, ItzCash and Idea Rs.10,000 for villages with a popula - ing," Naidu said. Money are the apps listed. tion less than 2,000; Rs.20,000 for "One can transfer money using Aad - One can open any of the above apps villages with a population between hBaarnPakys f rlaomgg ainnyg b abnekh uindde r one or download them by clicking on the 2,001 and 5,000; Rs.50,000 for vil - platform...It's a simple solution but icon featured in the Purse. Users lages having a population between will transform the nation," he added. need to register with name, phone 5,001 and 10,000; and Rs.1,00,000 number and OTP before using the for villages with a population ex - Purse. Description of the app says ceeding 10,000. However, the chief Minister criti - oInnce eonf tthive ebsen teofi tps roof musiontge it c isa sto h - Digital transactions done by individ - cised banks and said that while his lheasvse etxrpaonssuarec toio tnhes top payment uals on their own without the help government was taking steps to nor - wallets available in the market. of trainers and claims made by them malise the situation, banks were lag - personally would also be considered ging behind in adopting technology. at par with other individuals on Addressing a state-level bankers' whose behalf the trainers claim. committee meeting in Vijayawada, Acting swiftly on its commitment to The ITE&C Department was man - Naidu sought the cooperation of promoting cashless transactions in dated to create and maintain a por - bankers to encourage mobile bank - the wake of demonetisation, the tal for registration under the scheme ing transactions. The chief minister State government announced a Aanadd ehstaarb lPisahy transparent proce - appealed to the bankers to extend scheme of incentives to trainers and dures with the involvement of banks cooperation for mobile banking villages showing the path to others. and other stakeholders. transactions and said that Andhra The Information Technology, Elec - Pradesh was ready to extend 50 per tronics and Communications cent subsidy for purchase of biomet - (ITE&C) Department issued guide - Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ric devices to carry out mobile bank - lines in this regard, paving the way appreciated the Krishna District Col - ing transactions in the state. for rewarding individuals (trainers) lector Babu Ahamed for having Chandrababu Naidu asked the JANUARY a2n0d1 7 villages. The department was ANDcHoRmA eP uRpA DwEitShH aM sAolGutAioZnIN tEo. OeaRsG e the bankers to make available small cur 7- vested with the responsibility of im - currency crunch being faced by peo - rency in ATMs to spare people the Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

CM showing the app AP Purse to the media. Stating that digital transac - tions was the only way to overcome the cash crunch, Naidu emphasised that the public needs to switch over to Aadhar Pay, mobile phones, swipe machines and online banking system.

demonetisation, the Chief Minister said that digital economy was show - ing positive signs of growth post de - monetisation. "On digital economy, things are mov - ing very positively. The NITI Aayog has presented best practices of dif - ferent countries," said Naidu after the meeting of the Chief Ministers' Committee. Stating that digital transaction was the only way to overcome the cash crunch, Naidu emphasised that the public needs to switch over to Aad - har Pay, mobile phones, swipe ma - chines and online banking system. The Andhra CM mentioned that the panel was planning to reform the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System A complicated issue (AEPS) by introducing biometric inconvenience being faced in with - banking transaction is the only alter - machines. drawing cash. native to end the crisis, Naidu, who is "For AEPS or Aadhar Pay, only mer - spending more than three-four hours chant must have smartphone and we a day monitoring the cash distribu - need to just add biometric system. "It still remains a sensitive and com - tion system, asked the officials to That way the consumer doesn't need plicated problem," Chandrababu -- think innovatively to address the cri - to have a smartphone for making who heads the 13-member central sis and to encourage urban people to payments," Naidu added. committee to look into demonetisa - switch over to mobile-banking trans - "As of today only 4 banks had mecha - tion issues observed. Unless there actions and distribute the available nism of Aadhar card based payment. were remedial measures, people's small currency to farmers in rural We will request all the banks to start woes would continue in the long- areas to carry out agricultural opera - Aadhar card based payments," he term, Chandrababu warned. tions for the current Rabi season. said. There will also be a new version Refuting reports that he had made He said that cashless transactions of the Unstructured Supplementary any critical remarks against demon - were successfully implemented in all Service Data (USSD), which allows etisation, the Chief Minister, in a 29,000 fair price shops in the state people to conduct transactions upto statement, said he had expressed his and the dealers of FP shops were ap - Rs 5,000 even on feature phones. concern over the suffering of people pointed as banking correspondents Positive Signs The Chief Ministers' Committee was even after more than one month due to solve currency problem in rural set up by the Niti Aayog on Novem - to non-availability of currency. "It is areas. ber 26. While the AP Chief Minister is very painful to see reports of old v convenor, the chief ministers of Ma - people collapsing while waiting at harashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim ATM counters," he said. ANDSHpReA aPkRinAgD inE SDH eMlhAi aGftAeZr IaN mE.OeeRtiG ng of JANUARY 2017 8 and Puducherry were made mem - the Chief Ministers' Committee on Stating that cashless and digital bers of the committee. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Haryana to emulate AP on ‘Praja Sadhikara Survey’ A.P. CABINet CleArS ProPoSAlS for fIve SMArt CItIeS

he Andhra Pradesh Society for Elimination of Cabinet cleared the Rural Poverty and an extra 10 proposal to establish per cent performance-linked Special Purpose Vehi - incentive benefiting 5,038 Vel - cles (SPV) for implementing ugu workers. State-sponsored Smart Cities Another decision was to move Scheme in Anantapur, Eluru, mpressed by the successful implementation a Bill in the Assembly for the of the “PrajaSadhikara Survey” in Andhra Kurnool, Ongole and Srikaku - establishment of a Tourism lam as per the guidelines of Pradesh, Haryana has proposed to emulate and Culture Board instead of it. the Central government’s forming it through an ordi - Smart Cities Mission. nance. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his Haryana counterpart Manoharlal The Cabinet also resolved to Land allotments cleared were set up an SPV called Khattar exchanged Memorandum of Under - 62.18 acres at Mylavaram in standings (MoUs) on the subject in Delhi. ‘Guntur/Vijayawada Urban In - Kadapa district to the Hand - frastructure Development looms and Textiles Depart - Senior officials of the Andhra Government gave Corporation Limited’ for the ment for the setting up of a a presentation of the socio-economic data col - two cities. textile park, 21 acres at lection in all sectors at the Andhra Bhawan The Cabinet met at the In - Serikolam village in Parigi here. Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said terim Government Complex at Mandal of Anantapur district technology played a key role in the collection of Velagapudi in Guntur district. for the establishment of an in - the data of the people and households. Other important decisions dustrial park and a multi- He said the E-Pragati chapter of the project was were development of a multi- product SEZ at the rate of Rs.3 very ambitious. It is an inter-face between citi - purpose recreation and com - lakh per acre and 44.78 acres zIen and citizen and citizen and the government. mercial centre as part of the for a Mega Food Park at Setti - Giving details about the project,. Naidu said real Vijayawada City Square proj - gunta village in Railway Ko - time data could be collected with effective use T duru Mandal of Kadapa of technology in programmes like electrifica - ect in the public-private part - nership mode at Swaraj district at Rs.9.50 lakh per tion, cleanliness and controlling pollution. Maidan and its surroundings acre. Naidu said Andhra Pradesh was saving 12 per spanning 27.5 acres. The de - In addition, 75 acres had been cent in the distribution of PDS and 22 per cent tailed project report would be allotted for expanding the in social welfare programmes. prepared under the aegis of a Visakhapatnam Special Eco - He said the system had brought transparency Cabinet subcommittee. nomic Zone at Pudimadaka besides wiping out corruption because respon - Construction of an interna - (Rs.10 lakh per acre) and Dup - sibilities had been fixed for the officials. Naidu tional convention centre in pituru villages in Atchutapu - said he was sure Haryana could also succeed in Visakhapatnam under the su - ram Mandal (Rs.12 lakh per this endeavour. pervision of the Industries acre) and 61.56 acres in Khattar had praised Naidu saying he was the and Infrastructure Depart - R.Anantapuram village in pioneer of the technological system. He said his v v ments. Madakasira Mandal of Ananta - State was facing several challenges because of pur district (Rs. 90,000 per A 35 per cent hike in the corruption and lack of transparency. Both Chief JANUARY 2017 acre) AfoNr DesHtRabA lPisRhAinDgE aSn H MAGAZINE.ORG 9 wages of the workers of the Ministers sought cooperation from each other. MSME Park. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

centre releases rs 1981 cr for P O L A V A R A M

hief Minister N Chan - Ministers of State Vijay Goel and ects for the first time. Irrigation drababu Naidu efforts to Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Nabard would be given a great deal of prior - expedite the works on the chairman Harsh Kumar Bhanwala ity in future. A cheque for Rs 2,480 prestigious Polavaram Proj - and AP Water Resources Minister crore made out to the National ect have received a boost with the Devineni Umamaheswara Rao at a Water Development agency that in - the Central Government releasing programme in New Delhi. cludes the Rs 1981 crore for the Rs.1,981 crore, in the much-awaited The Nabard chairman said funds Polavaram and the remaining first instalment through Nabard. were being released from the Long- amount for other States was handed Union Minister for Finance Arun term Irrigation Fund for 99 projects over to the Chief Minister. Jaitley handed over the cheque to in the country. The Polavaram proj - Jaitley said the handing over of a Chief Minister in the presence of ect was getting Rs.1,981 crore as the cheque for Polavaram had more Union Ministers for Water Re - “first disbursement”. than just symbolic value. It would 10 sources Uma Bharti, Information ANDHURAmPaR BAhDaErtSiH sMaiAd GNaAbZaINrdE .wOaRsG releas - restore in the peopleJ oAf NAUndAhRrYa 2017 and Broadcasting MVenkaiah Naidu, ing funds for major irrigation proj - Pradesh the confidence and trust

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Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the Centre created an ‘excellent arrangement’ for the funding of the Polavaram project. The Union Minister said the release of funds for Polavaram would not only fulfil the long-pending dream of Andhra people, but would also restore their faith in the Centre.

they lost in the Centre after the bifur - Bharati clarified on this occasion that 1w7o crkoinlog nfoier ns aftoiorn tahl ien terest are bat - cation in which the State was sub - the construction on the multi-purpose dtinisgp folar cpeetdty o isfs Pueosl anvda rhainmde ring jected to “economic discrimination”. irrigation project was allowed after every step," Naidu said. The Union Minister said the release of Odisha along with two other states funds for Polavaram would not only gave consent for this. The minister was fulfil the long-pending dream of responding to media queries after the Andhra people, but would also restore Centre through Nabard released Rs. As many as 17 housing colonies with their faith in the Centre. The Centre 1,982 crore to Andhra Pradesh to - all modern facilities will be con - preferred to invest in irrigation over wards the irrigation project. “For the structed at a cost of Rs 230.42 crore in industry because the returns were project (Polavaram) Odisha, Chhattis - Buttayagudem, Jeelugumilli and faster. While it took just one season to gNaGrht a ndo dAn ndohrta n Peraeddeeshd h ave given Polavaram mandals for the displaced get returns in agriculture, it took much consent. After that only the project families of Polavaram project as part of longer in industries, he explained. was given a go ahead”, she said. a relief and rehabilitation package. East Godavari . District Collector K Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu Bhaskar held a meeting with Sub-Col - said the Centre created an ‘excellent Meanwhile, the Chief Minister rub - lectors, RDOs and Housing Board offi - arrangement’ for the funding of the bished the allegations of Telangana cials on construction of colonies for Polavaram project. All Central govern - government that NGT’s nod has not the Polavaram Project oustees. ments talked about developing agricul - been taken for Polavaram and said the He said 10 colonies would come up in ture and irrigation, but he had not clearance is not related to this project. Jeelugumilli, five in Buttayagudem and seen till now a Centre releasing funds Speaking at an event in Delhi after re - two in Polavaram mandals for the for 99 irrigation projects. ceiving first tranche of funds for project outstees. As many as 2,271 dis - Naidu said not only would Polavaram Polavaram multi-purpose project, the placed families would get pucca be the biggest irrigation project in the Chief Minister said, "NGT clearance is houses. A sum of Rs160 crore would country, it would also be the last of the not related to this project". Spillway works get underway be spent on housing for the project big projects. It would not be possible "To stop the implementation of oustees, he said. to build such big projects in future, he Polavaram project there were several said. people working against it. They had Naidu said the Polavaram project approached the Supreme Court, Na - The spillway works on the multi-pur - would be completed in the first quar - tional Green Tribunal, and even tried pose Polavaram hydel project got ter of 2019. He said all records not to create farmers agitation. However, under way on December 30 in the only in the country but outside also we overcame all those issues," he presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Min - would be broken. Andhra Pradesh added. ister Chandrababu Naidu. would become a drought-free State On Telanganas demand to reduce the As per plans of the long pending irriga - once the project was completed. height of the dam to avoid submer - tion project, after the concrete works Venkaiah Naidu recalled how Jaitley gence of Ram temple in Badhrachalam begin, it is proposed to take up di - stood by him when he fought for a bet - and other nearby mandals, Naidu said aphragm wall works early next month. ter deal for Andhra Pradesh in Parlia - the height of the dam was never in - The Chief Minister participated in a ment. He said for the Bharatiya Janata creased. "The original height proposed special yagna and a puja was per - Party (BJP), industry and agriculture in the old project has been retained," formed for the Telebelt, and then the were like two eyes. One would not be he added. Consent of other states CM started the conveyor belt to put the sacrificed to promote the other, he obtained Naidu recalled the opposition he had concrete in Block Number 3 of the added. to face for the implementation of sev - spillway. The Polavaram dam spillwavy eral other projects in the state. will have the capacity to carry a flood JANUARY 2017 A"PNaDttHisReAemPRaA wDaEsS oH pMpoAsGedA, ZbINutE w.OeR fGin - of 50 lakh cusecs (spillway with the 11 ished it. Political parties, instead of highest capacity in the world). Union Water Resources minister Uma Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

facts & figures PolAvArAM IrrIGAtIoN ProjeCt Considered to be a lifeline for the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh, the project when completed will play a major role in drought proofing the State and boosting the prospects of agriculture in the agrarian economy, while also providing drinking water.

Introduction

ect shall be cleared by CWC as expeditiously as possible for National River-Linking Project, which works under the aegis FRL/ MWL + 150 ft of the Indian Ministry of Water Resources, was desgned to • In 2004-05, execution of the Polavararn Irrigation Project overcome the deficit in water in the country (main dam and canal works) was started. In this project's case the Godavari over basin is considered as • The Government of India, recognizing the importance of a surplus one, while the Krishna River basin is considered to this Project, declared it as a National Project under AP Re - be a deficit one. Every year thousands of TMC of Godavari organisation Act, 2014. water flowed into the Bay of Bengal. • As per special package announced to new State of Andhra The Study recommended that sizeable surplus water was to Pradesh by Govt of India, the balance cost of Irrigation com - be transferred from the Godavari River basin to the Krishna Hypdonreanut loicf tPhea rPtriocjueclta arss o n 1st April 2014 will be borne River basin. 100% by Govt. of India taking financial assistance from Polavaram Irrigation Project, widely known as the Polavaram NABARD. Project, is planned on the river Godavari, near Ramayyapeta Village, Polavaram Mandal of West Godavari District. • The Project is located 42 Kms upstream of Sir Arthur Cot - Full Reservoir Level : +45.72 metres ton Barrage at Dowlaiswaram. (+150.00 feet) • The Project is a Multi-purpose Terminal reservoir on the Minimum Draw Down Level : +41.15 metres river Godavari (+135.00 feet) • The unique feature of Polavaram Project involves construc - Crest Level of Spillway : +25.72 metres tion of 1.5 m thick concrete diaphragm wall up to a depth of (+84.39 feet) 100 m below the river bed under the earth cum rockfill ECRF Dam Top Bund Level : +54.00 metres Hidsatmo rwyh ich is first of its kind in India. (+177.16 feet) • Spillway of 1054.40 m with 48 vents to enable discharge of Gross storage of Reservoir : 194.60 TMC : 50 Lakh cusecs of water which is first of its kind in world. 75.20 TMC Live storage : 75.20 TMC • The Polavararn Project was first proposed during the year PBreonbaebfilet sm aximum Flood Discharge : 50 Lakh Cusecs 1941 and preliminary investigations were conducted dur - Catchment Area : 3,06,643 Sq. ing 1942 — 44. Kms • At that time, the project was contemplated with FRL up to +208 feet with storage of 836.35 TMC. • Irrigation to 6.14 Lakh Ha. (15.2 Lakh Acres) • The Board of consulting Engineers, (BOCE) under the Chairman-ship of Dr. J L Salvage (retired Chief Designs Engi - • Production of Hydro power with installed capacity of 960 neer of USER, Denver), was formed to study the difficulties MW in dam construction. • Diversion of 80 TMC of Godavari water from river Godavari • The other members of Board of consulting Engineers were to Krishna river (which will provide Irrigation to 8.0 Lakh Dr. Karl Terzagi, Professor of Soil Mechanics & Engineering Acres) Geology (Harvard University. USA) and father of soil me - • Supply of 23.44 TMC of water to Vishakhapatnam city chanics, Mr. S. O. Harper, retired Chief Engineer of USBR, • Drinking water facility to 540 villages (population of 28.5 USA and Sir. Murdoch Macdonald & Partners consulting En - lakhs) gineers, London for the Polavaram Project. • Development and export of pisci-culture & boating facilities • The Project was earlier named as -Rama Pada Sager Proj - • 5 TMC & 1.5 TMC of water to Odisha & Chhattisgarh, re - ect". spectively • After reorganization of States, the Godavari Water Disputes 12 ANDHRA PRADESH M•ASGtaAbZilINizEa.tOioRnG of existing command area of KDJSA &N UGADSR Yo f 2017 Tribunal passed final orders directing that Polavaram Proj - 23.50 Lakh Acres Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Hydro Electric Power House:

from 40 metres to 100 metres Right & Left Connectivities: A Hydro Electric Power House of 960 MW with 12 nos of vertical Kaplan turbines, each of 80 MW capacity is proposed on the left flank of the river Main Canals Connectivities with regulators, tRwiginh tt uMnanienls C aannda sl:a ddle dams are proposed for diverting water to the right and left canals from the reservoir

The 174 Kms length of right main canal will provide irrigation facility to 3.2 lakh acres of new com - Lmeafnt dM aariena C ina nWael:s t Godavari & Krishna districts, besides di - verting 80 TMC of water from river Godavari to Krishna river, which will provide irrigation to a new ayacut of 8.0 Lakhs acres The 181.5 Kms length of the left main canal wStilal tpurosv oidfe Wirroigraktiso n(A fasc iolinty Dtoe 4c.0 3 l1a k2h0 a1c6r) es of new com - mHeaand Waroear kins East Godavari & Vishakapatnam districts be - sides supplying of 23.44 TMC of water to Vishakapatnam city. Spillway

Earthwork excavation of 151 Lakh CuM has been completed against a total of 161 50 Lakh CuM (93% Completed) Concrete work of 17 Lakh CuM is proposed to be commenced from the new year. Proposed to start fabrication of Radial Clearances obtained Gates of 22,000 MT from 14th January, 2017. Aepaprrtoha chu Cmha rnoneclk, S fpilll CDharm nel, Pilot Channel & Left Flank Earthwork excavation of 512 Lakh CuM has been completed against a total of 1055 Lakh CuM (49% Completed) • Environmental clearance from MoEF. • R&R Clearance from Ministry of Tribal Affairs . Earthwork embankment of 131.00 Lakh CuM (Including Gap I • Forest Clearance from MoEF — Stage I & Stage II . .MECaRiFn DCamn,a Glsap Ill and Coffer Dams) is to be taken up. • TAC clearance for revised cost of Rs 16,010.45 Crores (2010 Diaphragm Wall of 1.20 Lakh Cukil of plastic concrete is pro - — 11 price levels) from CWC / MoWR. TAC clearance for posed to be commenced from January, 2017 original cost of Rs. 10,151.04 Crores at Price level of 2005- 06. expenditure • Investment clearance for original cost from planning com - Right Main Canal : 90% of the work has been completed Mmaisns icoon.m ponents Left Main Canal: 61% of the work has been completed H• eAaldl t Wheo srtkastu tory clearances required for the Project have been obtained. Spillway: Expenditure incurred before National Project 5548.69 Cr. IEmxppenodrittaunret i necvuerrnetds u nder National Project :3133.75 Cr. Total expenditure incurred under Polavaram Irrigation Proj - Earth cum Rockfill Dam: A concrete spillway is proposed on right flank for a ect : 8682.44 Cr. length of 1054.4 metres with 48 nos. radial gates, each of size 16 metres x 20 metres with Hydraulic hoist arrangement It is proposed across the main river The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandra Babu Naidu course for a length of 2454 metres with a top width of 15 me - visited the project site 11 times so far. Every Monday the CM v tres ( Gap - I: 564 M, Gap-II: 1750 M and Gap-III: 140 M) and a is conducting virtual review of the project from Vijayawada. DJAiaNpUhAraRgYm 2 W01a7 ll under the ECRF Dam throughAouNtD tHheR AdaPm RADESH SMoA faGrA 1Z2IN NEo.'Os RofG virtual inspections and reviews have been 13 portion, with a thickness of 1.5 metres and depth varying conducted. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

SPEAKING CM At leADerSHIP SuMMIt HIS MIND

nvited as one of the 21 leaders, conversation with the editor-in chief of onci sAioPn' ws ipllr hoeglpr iemsps rove transparency who are shaping and instrumental 'Hindustan Times', Bobby Ghosh, who and reduce corruption and black in shaping tomorrow's world in called Naidu ‘the Globetrotting, power- money. different spheres including politics, point presenting, visionary politician’. economics, art, culture and spirituality, On behalf of the audience, who are also Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara invitees as heads of the States, business • I don't think of other states as com - Chandrababu Naidu shared his views at tycoons, artists, sports personalities petitors but prefer to adopt their best the penultimate session of 14th Hindus - and Nobel laureates, asked the CM a practices to improve my state because tan Times Leadership Summit-2016. He plethora of questions the latter’s take we are starting from scratch. spoke on the on-going progress of on a variety of issues. • I want to take fibre to the last mile. Navyandhra- the Sunrise State of oHenre d aerem ao fenwe teixscaetrpiotsn from the an - Will provide 15mbs internet speed to Andhra Pradesh- after the bifurcation. swers of the Chief Minister, made during all homes. With tele-con, people don’t The Hindustan Times Leadership Sum - the session: have to meet me. mit - a two-day session held in New • I’m using technology to provide real- Delhi, was a platform where the vision - time government in my state. I’m not aries including David Cameron, British • We need to think of ways to reduce competing with Indian states but with Premier, Arun Jaitley, union minister of the suffering caused by demonetisa - the best in the world finance and corporate affairs, Piyush tion. We need to think forward. One of • The issue (with Telangana) is over, Goyal, union minister of state (indepen - the ways is the use of digital currency. dent charge) of power, coal, new & re - both states need to move forward for • Digital literacy is a must to control newable energy and mines, Dr. Paul better prospects. Some issues be - corruption and development. The fu - Krugman, renowned scholar of econom - tween both the States have to be set - ture should be digital transparency. ics, besides Naidu, had spoken about tled amicably. • For standby, there should be some their outline for the future of their land. ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG • By 2022, AP will be amJoAnNg UthAeR tYo p2 03 17 14 physical currency too. You need cur - Naidu revealed his vision during his in the country. By 2029, it will be the I rency if you visit small shops. This de - Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

NADIkuDI-SrIkAlAHAStI on Amaravati foundation stone laid best state in India and by 2050, the best destination in the world.

• If you are very strong and provide everything, people will come to you. I am confident that multinational companies will invest in Amaravati. • Amaravati will be a ‘blue and green’ city. It will be among the top 10 cities in the world. Linking of rivers has happened for the first time in Andhra Pradesh. • Best institutions in health, education, hospitality are coming to Amravati. • One of more joys is that I built two cities -- Cybercity onin aHgydriecruabltaud raen da tnhde nfaewrm An dhra capital Amaravati. i•nIc’mo mwae tching other cities’ best practices and borrow - ing it to build the new Andhra capital, Amaravati.

• Ensuring rainwater harvesting and linking of rivers oundation stone was laid for the much awaited Nadikudi- to improve the agriculture industry in Andhra Srikalahasti new railway line by Railway Minister Suresh Pradesh Prabhu. • Nowhere in the world is there as much water in a one The Railway Minister who is a member of Rajya Sabha from the place as in Andhra Pradesh. state, took part in the programme through a video link from • I am focusing on agriculture and irrigation.We have New Delhi while Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Union taken the lead in linking rivers which will help solve Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapati Raju and others water woes in the state. I want to make AP one of the attended the function at the Railway Institute. onbe estd augcriacutilotun re clusters in the world. The Minister also launched free high-speed WiFi facility in • This year’s rainfall deficit was 29%. I’m looking at Guntur railway station, and flagged off a new double-decker making the sector draught-proof. train between Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. The renovated route-relay interlocking system at Vijayawada railway junction was also dedicated to the nation while a new • In primary education, I’m going to introduce digital hostel building of the Electric Traction Training Centre at classrooms. I Will generate competition among gov - Satyanarayanapuram was inaugurated. ernment schools as private schools compete. The Chief Minister said Rs 300 crore was initially allotted for • Our education is sector is very strong. Everywhere aFcquiring land for the Nadikudi-Srikalahasti railway line. The you go there's a Telugu engineer or doctor. I want to 309-km line would propel economic growth in Chittoor, SPS onin chroeawse thoig ehenrs eudruec ation rating from 30% to 50%. Nellore, Prakasam and Guntur districts, he said. In all, 2400 c•oIn tai fneuwi tyyea irns, gAondvherran Parnadcee sh will be the best in pri - acres of land would have to be acquired for the project taken up mary and higher education in the country. at an overall cost of Rs 2999 crore. Vjvija fyoawr ardaai Ml PPr Koejseincetns i Srinivas, South Central Railway General Manager Vasisht Joshi and other officials attended the event. • Keep working for the people and do the right devel - opments, considering all sections of the society. That's how people will trust you and give you their Andhra Pradesh government signed memorandum of under - mandate. standing with the Indian Railways for setting up a joint venture • Some of my actions caused problems (regarding los - company for taking up major rail projects in the state. ing an election). This time I’m planning everything. While many new railway lines will be built by the JV, the main • Health, minimum standards, education, eradicating vvobjective is to develop at least 21 railway stations in the state poverty are some of the measures we’re looking at. akin to airports. Speaking from New Delhi, Suresh Prabhu said •JAHNaUpApiRnYe s2s0 i1s7 a development marker I want tAo NfoDcHusRA PRADEStH hMeyA wGeAreZ ItNryEi.OngR tG o tie up with banks and other financial inst1i -5 on. Stress is a major problem for people. tutions to fund the JV. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Mori becomes first digitally literate village in country

Giving fillip to the efforts of the Government, the tiny he village of Mori in East Go - forts to change all villages into Smart vil - cashew-exporting davari district of Andhra lages in a phased manner," Naidu an - Pradesh has become the first nounced. village located near 100 per cent digitally literate vil - All the 1,900 houses in the village are the Bay of Bengal in lage in the country on December 29. It has tuned in to new Fibernet-hosted televi - the East Godavari also achieved the status of complete cash - sion, internet and telephone network in district has gone fully less transaction village, besides being Mori, which had already bagged the na - open defecation free (ODF) village. tional-level Swachh village award from digital with all the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu the Centre, households enjoying made the announcement during the Marking the launch of the Fibre Grid serv - WiFI, Internet launch of the AP Fibre Grid services which ices, the chief minister switched on the connectivity and cable offers cable television, telephone and in - TTD-SVBC channel and also interacted ternet services at just Rs 149 per month. with the AP Fibre Grid authorities TV while making all "Today is the most memorable day for me through video conference. transactions cashless. and the villagers of Mori as well as the en - The Chief Minister visited the residence of tire state. I am extremely happy to see the professor Soleman Darwin and interacted progress Mori has made in creating a digi - with the representatives of Silicon Valley tal revolution in the country. With this companies from US who played crucial JANUARY 2017 16 gAreNaDt iHnsRpA irPiRngA aDcEhSieH vMemAeGnAt oZfIN MEo.Ori RciG ti - role in turning the village into a Smart vil - zens, the Government would put its ef - lage. T Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

This smart village now is fiber-net connected, and soon will have piped cooking gas. Digital transactions are already in place.

with the Andhra Pradesh government and the Uni - versity of California – Berkley to help improve lives of farmers in and around Mori. He spoke to Secretary of Department of of Understanding (MoU) with the “The ‘Connected Aquaponics’ and Telecommunication, Delhi, and asked Andhra Pradesh Gas Distribution Cor - ‘Smart Water Grid Management’ IoT so - him to provide the villagers phone con - poration (APGDC) Limited for supply - lutions being demonstrated here will nections at Rs. 149. He inaugurated a ing piped LPG to Mori village in East help improve harvest and optimise digital classroom and declared the vil - Godavari district. water distribution. It has the potential lage open defecation free. More than 1,100 households will get to provide an improved life for millions Addressing a public meeting, the Chief cooking gas supply through pipeline. of farmers in the country,” said Anand Minister said 22 multinational compa - The project would be completed soon, Varadarajan, head of Ericsson Research, nies had come to Mori to make it a said East Godavari District Collector H Chennai, at Ericsson India, in a state - smart village and start cashless trans - Arun Kumar. ment. actions, provide fibre optical cable con - “We will fix metres to all the houses and The Connected Aquaponics integrates nections, aquaponics and smart water the government will charge as per the aquaculture and hydroponics for reuse grid management. He said digital trans - metre reading. The survey, project of the ammonia-rich waste water from actions had already begun and cashless works such as laying pipeline [and] aquaculture for organic farming and re - transactions would start shortly with ericsson introduces Iot sfioxilnugt mioentrses t woi lMl beogrini shortly,” the cycle the water back to the aqua farm. the support of various cards. The Chief Collector said. Minister inaugurated LED lights from “Using wireless sensor network and Er - the dais. icsson’s AppIOT platform, we enable the monitoring of the aqua farm 24×7, He said villagers should adopt three thereby enabling the farmers with real- things as the village was connected Swedish communication technology time information,” the company said. with the OFC: Adhar based transac - firm Ericsson on December 29 demon - tions, smart purchases and swiping of strated at Mori village of Andhra This enables the farmers to increase the cards. He specially thanked Prof. Pradesh its Internet of Things (IoT) so - yield as well as bring down the produc - Salmon Darwin, Berkeley University, lutions for creating smart and sustain - tion cost with optimum use of the raw who was born in the village and settled able villages in the state. materials and repeated use of water. in U.S., for contributing his mite for the Both projects — Connected Aquaponics The ‘Smart Water Grid Management’ development of the village. and Smart Water Grid Management — solution has been designed to enable Priopf.e Dda rCwoino iknitnrogd uGceads r teopr Meseonrtai - were demonstrated in the presence of efficient use of natural water resources tives of 22 multinational companies to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chan - in the Godavari basin through use of the village. drababu Naidu, after a three-month sensors and actuators. pilot. The sensors measure the quality of v Ericsson earlier this year signed a water, flow of water and level in the JANUARY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG The Andhra Pradesh government is memorandum of understanding (MoU) water storage tanks across the village1. 7 planning to enter into a Memorandum Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

GCC, GOING GREAT GUNS

sales turnover is around 50 metric tons worth Rs.55 lakh. The kumkum powder is being man - ufactured in the industrial unit of V. Madugula where turmeric process - ing is taken up. Kumkum is pro - duced using superior grade turmeric rhizomes and fine mesh. The sale rate is Rs.35 per 100 grams packs and Rs.20 for 50 gm. packs. GCC's kumkum is pure and is also cheaper compared to other brands in the market and will greatly bene - irijan Cooperative Corpo - the cue to place order for as much as fit the general public and pilgrims. ration was in the news re - 150 kg of kumkum every month. "We are expecting a Rs.One crore cently for something which Now all major temples in the state sales turnover through sale of 30 it did not venture to do have requested the GCC to supply its metric tons of kumkum next year," since its inception almost six quality kumkum powder for their he said. The other product released decades ago. daily rituals. According to simultaneously last month along GCC released kumkum or saffron Raviprakash, at present there is no with kumkum was Vaisakhi Coffee. powder. It was like a God sent op - reliable kumkum powder available The GCC’s Araku Coffee brand portunity as the idea came from in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana gained world-wide acclaim. The none-the-less than the Srisailam markets. The quality of kumkum in Vaisakhi Coffee is a blend of 70 per Devasthanam. The GCC Vice-Chair - the market was found to be substan - cent coffee and 30 per cent chicory, man and Managing Director ASPS dard. "Other major temples in the and the coffee part contains a mix of Raviprakash, always ready for inno - State are also placing indents with 85 per cent berry coffee of Chinta - vation, promptly obliged them and GCC and the total requirement of palli mandal and 15 per cent parch - the result is the kumkum powder. various devastanams works out to ment of Paderu mandal. The blend Srisailam Devasthanam placed the about 30 metric tons a year," he dis - is prepared by Chief Analyst of Cof - first order for Rs.10 lakh for supply closed. Also, superior quality fee Lab of Bengaluru, Sunali Menon. of 50 kg, of kumkum to it every turmeric is abundantly grown by About 20 tonnes of coffee is being month. It was only a beginning. Sri the tribal farmers in Paderu of prepared. The name was given to Kanakamahalakshmi Devasthanam Visakhapatnam agency region. The the coffee brand to represent the 18 in Visakhapatnam city where the ANDHGRCA CP iRsA aDlrEeSaHdyM sAeGlliAngZ ItNuErm.OeRrGic in district and also becaJuAseN VUaAisRaYk h2i017 GCC headquarters is located, took powder form in the market. The means spring and the coffee cultiva - Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

tion brought spring into the life of in the Agency area. speaking States of Andhra Pradesh the Girijan farmer. And to help the Girijans farmers and Telangana. As much as 500 tons GCC’s sales could be a hundred come out of the clutches of the mid - of honey is sold here against the de - crore on coffee alone but for some dlemen and private money-lenders mand of 1000 tons. GCC honey is setbacks. The tribal farmers are and traders, the GCC is advancing a most sought-after since it is pure given a free hand by the State Gov - loan of Rs. 10,000 to each of the unlike other brands some of which ernment but they are exploited by 5,000 farmers. This would help the are said to have added foreign stuff outsiders, nay middlemen, mostly farmers sell coffee directly to the for making them more viscous. from Karnataka. They collect coffee GCC for a remunerative price. Once Other new products of GCC in the seeds on a large scale keeping in this is done, the GCC’s coffers will be pipeline are natural herbal drinks to mind only exports. For this, they boosted by the turnover through be introduced next summer. Encour - lend money to the gullible tribal coffee alone which would even aged by the sales of nannari and farmer and descend on the agency touch the three-figure mark. For, in - maaredu juice bottles at its outlets, area at the time of harvest. They dividuals who are non-resident Indi - the GCC has plans to come out with take away the entire produce for a ans are making a few crores by `ready to drink’ variety of the mix, in song leaving the farmer in the lurch. marketing Araku coffee in the US. safe packs each costing Rs.10. Simi - AP Minister for Tribal Welfare Rav - The State Government has also an - larly, it is working on an organic ela Kishore Babu has assured the nounced a debt waiver of Rs. 1.88 shampoo from soapnut. tribals that in two to -three years, all crore to 2,771 Girijan farmers. Thanks to the advantage it enjoys in the middlemen would be totally Apart from coffee, GCC honey is very sales of quality coffee and honey, eliminated from coffee plantations much in demand in the two Telugu the GCC now wants to launch other products like karakkaya, usiri or amla, kumkudu or soapnut, maaredu, cleaning nuts, and gum karaya. Incidentally, the two outlets of the corporation –at the Millennium Petrol Pump in Siripuram and at Ushodaya Junction have proved to be thumping success, netting a profit of Rs.3 lakh and Rs.One lakh respectively. Another outlet was also started at the Kakinada Collec - torate recently with instant success. It is expected to reap a profit of around Rs.5 lakh a month. One more outlet will be opened at Vi - jayawada soon. This has made the GCC to now take a decision to appoint educated youth as francisees to run its exclu - sive outlets. - b Prabhakara Sarma The GCC also draws strength from the 14 petrol pumps run by it in the State. JANUARY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG 19 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Vijayawada SYMBOL OF SECULARISM

We are living in religious exclusion; nevertheless, there are a few places where tolerance bridges between the people of different beliefs. Vijayawada is such place of inclusion that glows in terms of secularism. The city houses three important places of worship from each of the major three religions- Hindu, Christian and Islam. The significant places of worship are-Kanakadurga temple atop Indrakeeladri, Mary Matha holy shrine atop Gunadala hill and Hazratbal shrine in one town, which contains the Holy relic of Prophet Muhammed. With this rare religious order, Vijayawada quietly adds a chapter to the nation’s abiding saga of secularism.

KANAKA DURGA: reigning Goddess

shan of the Goddess. The hoary antiquity of SwayamBhu (the self-existent deity) dates back to millenniums. According to mythological belief, Indrakeeladriis also known for ages as Arjunikonda (The Hill of Arjuna). Arjuna is said to have done his tapascharya in order to obtain Pasupata from Lord Shiva. This hill Indrakila is said to be the scene of the Kiratarjuniya where Lord Shiva in the form of an aboriginal/ tribal hunter (Kirataka) had a fight with Arjuna. The rush of pilgrims of eclectic mix at Durga temple is a regular sight. But, after the 10-day Dasara festivities of goddess Kanakadurga, an exclusive group of lakhs of pilgrims throng the temple and paint the river Krishna- red! The large turnout of devotees in their traditional red robes are called ‘Bhavanis’, who take Durga Bhavani Deeksha for one mandalam (40 days), or arthamandalam (21 days). After Dasara, Bhavani’s relinquish the deeksha in river Krishna, before having a darshan of God - dess. anaka Durga, the Goddess of power, riches and benevolence is the presiding deity of Vi - The three-day annual Shakambari festival, being jayawada. Ancient temple of Kanaka Durga, held in every Ashada month on Indrakeeladri, is atop Indrakeeladri on the banks of the sacred river another important event. More than one lakh pil - Krishna abounds with legends of mythological and grims throng every year to worship Durgamata in 20 also historical interest. NAoN pDilHgrRimA P pRaAssDeEsS tH hMroAuGgh AZINEt.hOeR iGncarnation of Shakambari Devi fJoAr NbUouAnRtYif u2l017 the city without a holy dip in the river and dhar - rain and a good harvest.

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GUNADALA CATHOLIC SHRINE: lady of lourdes

sant affords of a Catholic priest HugesPez - zoni, Mary Matha Shrine was built in 1924. Under the aegis of Pezzoni, FrArlati alias AlladiSwamy installed a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes (Mother Mary) in a natural grotto on the Gunadala Hill slope. The Gunadala hill is the tallest hillock in the clump of hillocks that interrupt the rather plain terrain of the city. As Gu - nadala Mary Matha is synonymous for healing power, the hill is believed to have the powers of breaking the curse of infer - tility. Thus, childless couples spend an en - tire night in prayer and hang miniature cradles on the branches of trees on the hill slopes.People ailing from chronic physical unadala Mary Matha festival, an annual event, is afflictions offer prayers for relief. The considered to be one of the largest congregationsof shrine attracts a large number of people from all faiths worship in Andhra Pradesh. At an average, about and pilgrims from all corners of the State and neighbour - 10 lakh believers come to offer prayers and fulfill their ing States like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka throng to offer vows during the fete. The celebrations of Gunadala prayers at statue of Mother Mary during the three-day JMUathaM festiMval bAegan wMay bAackS in J19I24D. It: was the inces - carnival. Hazaratbal

uma Masjid,the mosque in one town is the most famous and ma - jestic of worship place in Vijayawada. That honour probably goes to Hazaratbal, holy relic of Prophet Mohammed (SAS), who is regarded by Muslims as the last messenger and prophet of God. It is a solid, sober masjid which carries an aura about it. Located in one town of Vijayawada near Kaleswararao Market, the mosque is annu - G ally in news due to its huge congregation, when Mosque authorities allow the devotees to view the relic only once a year. The display at - tracts the people irrespective of caste, creed and religion who join the celebration with an open heart and complete devotion. Devotees weep as the relic is displayed after the prayers. Juma masjid, the oldest masjid in Vijayawada, was built in 1733 by Hazarat Syed Shah Musafir Bukhari, who hails from Samarkand, Uzbekistan in central Asia. According to the local account on Shah Musafir Bukhari, he was impressed with the environs of Vijayawada particularly on the banks of Krishna River and spent his rest of the lJife in Vijayawada in the 18thcentury and built the masjid. Later, it became famous for having the holy relic of prophet Mohammed (SAS). ** ** ** The sound of azaan from the mosque, the rendering of hymns from ancient temple and the chimes of bells from the church…. what doevs all this point to? Simple! The harmonious tradition of Vijayawada, in - JANUARY 2017 ANDHRA PRAdeDeEdS oH uMr AnGatAioZnIN, gEo.OesR bG ack many centuries. Time then to take choi2ce 1 to talk of inclusion; exclusion excerpts too heavy a price! Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

[In this brand new series we bring to you non-Telugu technicians MASTER who have worked for the growth of Telugu cinema.] OF SOUND a.KrisHnan

“Sound unbound by nature becomes bounded by art.” -Dejan Stojanovic

ound and light are the two vital factors in creat - ing an illusion called cin - ema. Apart from strong content, it is these two departments that define the quality of a movie and thus contribute for its success. Perhaps it is for this reason that not only debut direc - tors but also experienced filmmak - ers depend on expert cinematographers and sound de - signers. Veteran director K. Raghavendra Rao’s ‘Sri Ramadasu’ was a fine ex - ample of how sound designing made all the difference to a movie. A rush print of ‘Sri Ramadasu’ was shown to the film’s hero Akkineni Nagarjuna without background score. Nagarjuna did not like it. He feared its fate at the box office. However the film’s music director films was legendary. The master of 1927 the Madras University started M.M. Keeravani told him to watch sound was such a rage then that a course in Electrical and Mechani - the movie after the re-recording even though they have shot their cal Engineering and Krishnan work was done. Nagarjuna was films elsewhere producers would joined as a lecturer in the depart - bowled over by the result. The con - throng to Vauhini Studios to have ment at his alma mater, St. Joseph tributing factors were besides ethaerirl ys oduanyd s mixing done by A. Kr - College. As the subject was new to Keeravani’s genius in composing ishnan who was the studio’s sound him and since not much text books the background score it was also department chief. were available on the subjects then, the sound engineer E. Radhakr - Krishnan had a tough time learning ishna’s expertise in sound mixing. and teaching his students. Krishnan Considered a guru in the field of Born in Thrissur in Kerala in 1905, not only mastered the subjects but Sound designing was A. Krishnan, Krishnan studied at Maharaja Col - also earned a name as the best in the South’s first generation sound lege, Ernakulam and at St. Joseph the field. During his teaching stint, ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG JANUARY 2017 22 engineer. His work at Vauhini stu - College, Tiruchirapalli from where Krishnan also learnt the nuances of dios for Telugu and other language he obtained a degree in Physics. In sound engineering which helped Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Born in Thrissur in Kerala, Krishnan started his long association with Telugu films with ‘Grihalakshmi’. Vauhini pictures shot its classics – ‘Vandemataram,’ ‘Sumangali,’ ‘Devata,’ ‘Pothana,’ ‘Swargaseema’ and ‘Yogi Vemana’ at this studio and Krishnan worked along with Sekhar in the films sound designing. Krishnan’s masterly job was evident in the sound mixing of Vauhini Pictures ‘Malleswari’.

him reach great heights later in life. on Nagaiah’s ‘Bhagyalakshmi’ and Katha’s recording launch on August DHee wbourtk iend fiasl ma l eicntudruesr tforyr a decade ‘Thyagaiah.’ It was then he caught 13. Krishnan recorded two songs till 1937 when opportunities from the attention of veteran filmmaker rendered by P. Leela for ‘Gunasun - tinsel town knocked at his door. B.N. Reddi. dari Katha’ on that day. Krishnan’s However, a new turn took place in assistant recordist, V. Sivaram his career, albeit briefly. The then played the lead in it opposite Jr. Sri - It was in 1937 that ace lens man and Madras (Tamil Nadu) Government ranjani. director K. Ramnoth founded founded in 1945 a polytechnic insti - After B.N’s brother B. Nagi Reddi Karthikeya Studios in Madras and tute (also known as Adyar Film In - took over the studio management, talent hunt brought him to Tiruchi. stitute and now functioning as MGR the facilities were improved on par He invited Krishnan to join the stu - Government Film and Television with the best in the country. Inter - dio’s sound department. Always Training Institute) to teach film estingly, later day’s iconic director K. looking for new challenges, Krish - craft. Krishnan was appointed to Viswanath too joined the Sound de - nan accepted the offer and came to teach the subject of sound recording partment of Vauhini Studios during Madras to work along with the leg - to the students. For six months he the making of ‘Gunasundari Katha.’ endary sound designer and art di - held the post but the recording the - Krishnan’s masterly job was evident rector A.K. Sekhar. The first film to tatrryes tin w thiteh s tvudaiuosh wineir eS tbuecdkioons ing in the sound mixing of Vauhini Pic - roll from Karthikeya Studio was in him to return as they needed his tures ‘Malleswari,’ Arudra in his re - Tamil, ‘Sundaramurthy Nayanar’ di - services more. view in the magazine Telugu rected by Murugadasa. Ramnoth Swatantra commended the excellent cranked the camera while Sekhar sound designing by A. Krishnan and and Krishnan designed the sound. It was the time when Moola P.V. Koteswara Rao. “Heavy rain with The movie won all round apprecia - Narayana Swamy and B.N. Reddi winds lashed outside and Malli’s tion for its technical excellence. built Vauhini Studios and B.N. who mother converses with her husband It was the second movie that was was helming the studio affairs was Nagappa. Their conversation is shot at the studio which later paved on the lookout for a capable man to clearly audible along with the sound the way for Krishnan’s long associa - head its Sound department. He of the rain and the wind. Even the tion with Telugu cinema. It was Ro - brought Krishnan back from the flutter of the towel on Nagappa’s hini Pictures, ‘Grihalakshmi’ that polytechnic institute to the record - shoulder is heard clearly.” Such was introduced a set of actors and tech - ing theatre. Vallabhajosyula Sivaram the technical standard at a time nicians to Telugu film industry. was chosen to assist him. P.V. when the word ‘digital sound’ was Sekhar and Krishnan worked as its Koteswara Rao later known as ‘Gem - not even heard. ini’ and ‘Bharani’ Koteswara Rao was sound engineers. During the making Besides Vauhini’s ‘Peddamanushulu,’ another assistant of Krishnan at of this movie, Krishnan came into and Vijaya Productions, ‘Shavukaru,’ Vauhini Studios. contact with B.N. Reddi and Vauhini ‘Pathalabhairavi,’ ‘Pelli Chesi Pictures. The construction of Vauhini Studios Choodu,’ and ‘Chandraharam’ Krish - In 1939 when Karthikeya Studios was started in 1945 and completed nan’s repertoire include films pro - seized functioning, Krishnan along in mid 1948. Two films, Vauhini Pic - duced at Vauhini Studios by other with Ramnoth and Sekhar joined tures, ‘Gunasundari Katha’ and East - popular banners such as Prathiba, Newtone Studios. Vauhini pictures ern Art Productions Tamil film, NAT, Annapurna, Jagapathi etc., and shot its classics – ‘Vandemataram,’ ‘Lavanya’ were launched almost si - films in various other languages. multaneously at the studios. How - ‘Sumangali,’ ‘Devata,’ ‘Pothana,’ It was Krishnan who recorded Lata ever, the first film to have its ‘Swargaseema’ and ‘Yogi Vemana’ at Mangeshkar’s first and only Telugu recording done at Vauhini under the this studio and Krishnan worked song, the famous lullaby, ‘nidurapora baton of Krishnan was, ‘Lavanya’ JANUARY a2l0o1n7g with Sekhar in the films soundANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG thammuda’ for ‘Santhanam’ under 23 which had its recording launch on designing. Besides he also worked the baton of music director Susarla July 1, 1948 as against ‘Gunasundari Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Port rAIl lINk by Dec 2017

Dakshina Murthy. Interestingly Krishnan also recorded her rendition for a Sri Lanka film, ‘Sadasulang’ composed by Susarla at Vauhini recording theatre on November 9, 1954. From 1948 to 1962 he was the director of he Obulavaripalle-Krishnapuram Port broad gauge railway line Audiography at Vauhini Studios. When the connectivity work in Kadapa district would be completed by De - studio was closed for a few months due to a cember next, said Union Minister for Urban Development M strike, producer Dukkipati Madhusudana Venkaiah Naidu. Rao who was filming all his productions at The work on the 262-metre-long first tunnel had been completed and 56 Vauhini studios revived Saradhi Studios at per cent of the work was completed on the 3,063 metre-long second tun - Hyderabad and invited A. Krishnan to head nel which was progressing briskly, said Naidu after inspecting the railway its Sound department. Krishnan moved to line and tunnel work near Cherlopalle in Chitvel mandal in Kadapa dis - Hyderabad and joined Saradhi Studios to trict, along with Union Minister for Human Resources Prakash Javadekar. work for Annapurna Pictures, Chadu - Completion of the rail and road connectivity between Obulavaripalle and vukunna Ammayilu’ and continued his stint Krishnapatnam port was his long cherished goal, Naidu said. Recalling tAhcecreo floard ae fsew & m Aowrea yredars s enriching the that the project was sanctioned in 2006 by then Union Railway Minister quality of Telugu films produced at the Stu - Nitish Kumar, Venkaiah Naidu said it progressed at a snail’s pace for want dio. of funds. Work picked up pace in 2014 he said and lauded the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited engineers and officials for it. An outlay of Rs 1,168 crore was spent so far on the railway project, under - Popularly known as Krishna Iyer, Krishnan taken with an estimate of Rs, 1,646 crore, he said. With an estimate of Rs was mild mannered and patience personi - 47 crore per km., it was a low-cost project. While 1,900 acres was ac - fied. His smiling face endeared everyone and quired, clearance was accorded for 325 acres of forest land, he said. Earth won him many friends in the industry. In work would be completed by February 2017 and tunnel work by July 1963 he was a consulting engineer for Cin - 2017 and the cement lining work would be taken up from March to Octo - ema Ltd., Colombo. He was the President of ber, he said. Cine Technicians’ Association of South India (CTA) and was the author of Cinema Opera - The area would develop with the rail connectivity and development of in - tors Manual, published by the Government ternal roads. Development would be easy where facilities such as roads, Board of Examiners for cinema operators. Trailways, flight and power were available, he said. He received the K. Ramnoth award in 1981 Venkaiah Naidu said a special task force had been constituted to examine from CTA in recognition of his service to the the viability of establishing an integrated steel plant in Kadapa and the film industry. A. Krishnan was one of the Government would take an appropriate decision on getting the task force - M l Narasimham veteran technicians to whom the South In - report. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Municipal Admin - dian film industry in general and the Telugu istration P. Narayana, RVNL Managing Director Satish Agnihotri, Kadapa v film industry in particular owes a lot. Joint Collector Swetha Teotia were present. 24 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG JANUARY 2017 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

AP’S role IN evolvING NATIONAL FLAG

very Indian respects the national flag. But not many Indians can claim to know how the tricolor evolved over decades. The present flag underwent at least six radical changes from colours to symbols of authority on it between 1906 and 1947 when it was finally adopted by the onstituent Assembly as the National Flag. Jawaharlal Nehru in - troduced the resolution to that ef - fect. The first flag in India is believed to have been hoisted on August 7, 1906, in the Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park) in Kolkata. The flag had horizontal stripes of red, yellow and green. The second flag to have been hoisted was by Madame Cama and her band of exiled revolutionaries in Paris in 1907. Some say that it was in 1905, though. This was very on the choice of a flag. It proposed principles of all those who work similar to the first flag and it was a plain saffron flag with a ‘charkha’ under this flag. Again, the wheel exhibited at a socialist conference in reddish brown. The All-India denotes motion. There is death in iEn Berlin. Dr Annie Besant and Lok - Congress Committee rejected the stagnation. There is life in move - manya Tilak hoisted the third flag proposal. The same year a resolu - ment. India should no more resist in 1917 during the Home Rule tion was passed at the Karachi ses - change; it must move and go for - movement. The Union Jack symbol - sion of the All-India Congress ward. The wheel represents the dy - ized the ideal of Dominion Status. Committee adopting a tricolor as namism of a peaceful change…” At a meeting of the All-India Con - the national emblem. It had three On the same occasion, Jawaharlal gress Committee at Bezwada, now colors: saffron, white and green. No Nehru moved the following resolu - Vijayawada, in Andhra Pradesh in religious significance was, how - tion in the Constituent Assembly: 1921, Pingali Venkayya, a young ever, attached to the colors. They ‘Resolved that the National Flag of man from Machilipatnam in Kr - represented saffron for courage India shall be horizontal tricolour ishna Mandal, prepared a flag and and sacrifice, white for truth and of deep saffron (kesri), white and took it to Gandhiji. It was red and peace, and green for faith and dark green in equal proportions. In green, representing the two major chivalry. On July 22, 1947, Jawahar - the centre of the white band, there communities in India. Gandhiji lal Nehru presented the national shall be a wheel in navy blue to suggested that a white strip to rep - flag to the Constituent Assembly. represent the “charkha.” The de - resent the remaining communities This was the tricolour, but the sign of the wheel shall be that of in the country and a ‘charkha’ be “charkha” was substituted with the the wheel (chark- hYa V) wRhaimcha kapoptaeiaarh s added. Thus was the tricolor born “Dharma Chakra” of Asoka, the on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion and it was hoisted. wheel of the Law of Dharma. Dr Capital of Asoka.’ A committee of seven persons was Radhakrishnan said on the occa - appointed in 1931 to elicit opinion sion: “Truth or satya, dharma or virtue, ought to be the controlling senior Journalist JANUARY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG 25 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

AN EPIC YEAR 2017 Is Going To Be An Epic Year For Tollywood.A HeHreE's AWhDy… ! Gautamiputra Satakarni

016 was a mixed bag for Tolly - of prestige to the project and the suc - wood. Despite the resounding Nandamuri Balakrishna's 100th film cess of the film could trigger another success of films like Sarrain - Gautamiputra Satakarni has been wave of period dramas in Telugu cin - odu and Janatha Garage, Tolly - making a lot of buzz over the past few ema. The film is slated for release in wood also saw several high profile months and it's not without a reason. keahrlayi Jdain Nuaory 1, 520 17 and it could add films fail at the box-office. New heroes Directed by Krish, the film narrates another feather in the cap for Balakr - emerged and at the same time, it was the story of Gautamiputra Satakarni, ishna and Krish respectively. clear the audience too is willing to one of the greatest rulers from Satava - watch films which boast of different hana dynasty, who lived during 1st content. The success of films like Pelli - Century A.D. The film's spectacular vi - Megastar Chiranjeevi's comeback film choopulu, Dhruva, Kshanam, 24 and suals and an emotional storyline have Khaidi No 150 is turning out to be Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada is proof already become a topic of discussion both a litmus tests as well as the proof enough that Tollywood is going and Krish states that the movie will re - of his larger-than-life image and popu - through a sea change. Having said iterate the greatness of Telugu culture larity. Although the actor-turned- that, given the list of films that are and identity. politician-turned-actor took a long going to release in 2017, it clearly time to decide the script for his 150th looks like an epic year for tinsel town One of the dialogues in the film which film, he finally decided to go ahead with some of the biggest names vying goes like 'Desham meesam thippud - with the Telugu remake of Vijay-Muru - for attention at the box-office. Starting ham' has struck a chord with the audi - gadoss' Kaththi. Directed by VV with Balakrishna's Gautamiputra Sa - ences and the songs, composed by Vinayak, the socio-drama stars Chiran - takarni to Baahubali 2, here are 10 Chirantan Bhatt, have mesmerised the jeevi and Kajal in lead roles. While the music aficionados. The fact that Gau - 26 films that could make a big mark: ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG original version had VijJaAy NplUaAyeRdY d2u0a1l 7 tamiputra Satakarni is Balakrishna's roles and fighting against a cola com - 2 100th film too has added an element Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

pany which had been destroying gual film narrates the story of the in 2017. A remake of 'Veeram', the water resources in a village, it re - mysterious sinking of PNS Ghazi off film has Pawan Kalyan reprising the mains to be seen what changes have the coast of Vishakapatnam during role of Ajith, whereas Shruti Haasan been made in the Telugu version. No the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Rana, will play his romantic interest. Di - matter what the content of the film is Taapsee, Kay Kay Menon have played rected by Kishore Pardasani, the film going to be, Khaidi No 150's USP is the lead roles in this war drama which has Pawan Kalyan playing a middle- going to be Megastar Chiranjeevi him - has been shot in Hyderabad, where a aged man who'll do anything to pro - self who looks more dashing than special submarine set was erected. tect his brothers. It's a perfect recipe eovmer bNeafomreo. I nvceidneknatatlelys, aRyama Charan AGollinug A bryj tuhne 'bsu Dzzj in the industry, for an action entertainer, and Pawan himself has produced the film and Ghazi promises to be a thrilling expe - BKaalyaahnu'sb naelwi 2 look and style are ex - Devi Sri Prasad has scored the music. rience. pected to weave their magic on silver screen.

After the success of Annamayya, Sri Allu Arjun is on a high post the suc - Ramadasu and Shirdi Sai, Nagarjuna cess of Sarrainodu, which became one Trust SS Rajamouli to captivate the and K Raghavendra Rao have teamed of the highest grossing films ever in nation once again in summer, 2017. up for the fourth time to make a devo - Telugu cinema. Not only was it a testi - Baahubali - The Conclusion, the con - tional time. This time, their latest film, mony to Allu Arjun's ever-growing tinuation of Baahubali - The Begin - Om Namo Venkatesaya narrates the popularity, but also the idea of a 'sum - ning, is going to be a box-office story of Hathiram Baba, an ardent mer blockbuster' was reinforced with juggernaut when it arrives in style in devotee of Lord Venkateshwara who its success in mid 2016. Now, all eyes Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi lived in the 16th century. Not much is are on his upcoming film DJ - Duvvada on April 27, 2017. The first part intro - known about Hathiram Baba; how - Jagannadham, which is being directed duced us to the world of Mahishmathi ever, K Raghavendra Rao and his team by Harish Shankar. Pooja Hegde is the and its rich & vibrant characters in - are said to have done an incredible lead actress in DJ. Given Allu Arjun's cluding Shivudu, Amarendra amount of research to bring Om Namo dream run at the box-office in the past Baahubali, Bhallaladeva, Kattappa, Venkatesaya to life. The film also stars fMewa hyeeasrhs, iBt awboul-dAnr't bMe usurrupgria si-ng if Shivagami, Devasena and Avantika. Anushka and Jagapathi Babu in im - DdJo tsoso' tfuirlnm s out to be one of the And if the confessions of the cast and pGourrtau nt roles, whereas Saurabh Raj biggest hits of 2017. crew of the movie are anything to go Jain has played the role of Lord by, Baahubali 2 will make the first Venkateshwara. part look like child's play. The second part is going to delve deep into the ri - Mahesh Babu's forthcoming film in valry between Baahubali and Bhal - A remake of Irudhi Suttru, Guru has AR Murugadoss' direction is one of laladeva, the crucial roles which Venkatesh playing the role of a boxing the most awaited films of 2017 for nu - Devasena, played by Anushka, and coach. Venkatesh will be seen in a merous reasons. Not only is this com - Shivagami (Ramyakrishna) have beefed look in this movie directed by bination of Mahesh and Murugadoss a played in the lives of the two siblings. Sudha Kongara, whereas Ritika Singh dream come true for many, but also ASnhda fninkaallry', sw 2e.'l0 l get to know the an - will be reprising her role which cata - the film will mark Mahesh Babu's swer to the question - Why did Kat - pulted her to fame in Tamil and Hindi debut in Tamil. Interestingly, Mahesh tappa kill Baahubali? Jai Mahishmathi. cinema. Shot in Vizag and Hyderabad, Babu will be playing the role of an in - Guru has all the makings of an inspir - telligence officer and it'll also, report - ing sports drama and it's been a while edly, touch upon themes like sibling In a year which promises to be epic in since someone has dabbled with this rivalry among other things. Industry every sense, Shankar's 2.0, starring genre. The fact that Venkatesh has insiders reveal that the film has the Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar and Amy taken up an author-backed role potential to become the second high - Jackson, is expected to shake things speaks volumes about the confidence est grossing film of all time in Telugu, up in a major way. Not only is it one of Gheh haazsi on the content in the film and kbeahtiandm Baaraahyuubadliu and pre-release the most expensive films ever made, it could turn out to be the surprise hit hype is certainly pointing the expecta - but also Shankar has shot the film in of 2017. tions in the right direction. 3D. With Akshay Kumar playing the role of an evil scientist, all our eyes will be on Ch- iHttie -m Thaen Rtohb kotu, pmlaayre d Cr For the first time ever, a war drama After the debacle of Sardar Gabbar by Rajinikanth, to save the world. It set underwater is going to surface on Singh, Pawan Kalyan is back as Kata - just doesn't get bigger than this! JANUARY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG 27 Indian screens in February. Directed marayudu, which is expected to kick by Sankalp, this Telugu-Hindi bilin - off the summer season in Tollywood Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

AP Has Highest Number Of WORKING WOMEN in india

In female workforce participation, the state is leading the country with 51.3 percent of women employed.

omen in India want to work but cannot or unemployed (that is, either working or actively or do not due to family responsibilities, seeking work)- in India rose from 25.8% in 2012-13 lack of skills and social norms. India is to 27.4% in 2015-16, according to data from the min - ranked 139 among 145 countries on istry of labour. the economic participation and opportunity sub While Uttar Pradesh and Bihar had some of the low - index, in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender est female workforce participation rates-with 15.5% Gap Report 2015. and 18.1% – states such as Rajasthan and Jharkhand In the rankings by indicator, India stood 136th in fe - did much better than national average of 31.1%. All male labour force participation rate. the southern states have scored better than the na - Women’s workforce participation in India is the low - tional average, with Andhra Pradesh being the high - est among the BRICS nations. A range of countries, est (51.3%). such as Bahrain, Malaysia and even Somalia (37%), UP, Rajasthan, and Bihar had low rates of workforcve do much better, IndiaSpend reported in March 2015. participation among urban women, with the lowest Female workforce participation rate- defined as the being in Bihar (9.3%), while Andhra Pradesh was the percentage of the population that is either employed highest at 35.1%. 28 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.COM JANUARY 2017 W Downloaded from http://smartprep.in 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. w w w w w

JANUARY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.COM 29 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in AMAZING ANDHRA PRADESH

sona springs A visual feast to Nature lovers

30 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG JANUARY 2017 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

happened to be in Chintavaram ings. Then I realized that the locals tioned that he had shown these Kothapalem village of Chilakuru are there to carry forward the tales springs to the Duke of Edinburgh. mandal in Nellore district of of the past from one generation to The farmers of 30 villages depend Andhra Pradesh a few months the other. on Sona Springs for irrigation ago. It was high noon and I was hun - Edward Hutchins, who worked as needs, as the resourceful Sona gry but was so surprised to see a the Madras Deputy Conservator of springs which holds 1, 00,506 mil - stream flowing amidst the sand Forests in 1883 has written in his lion of US gallons water. The fact is dunes. The water was sweet and 58-page report on The Measure - that the pH level in the Sona quenched my thirst and hunger as ment of Rates of Growth of Kasu - Springs is better than that of well. When I asked the locals where rina in Nellore district that the branded packaged water of multi - from this stream comes from, they region has everlasting springs national companies. Sona spring is said it does not come from anywhere which keeps the area fertile and a visual treat to the true nature but it is a spring. It was told that keeps the drought away. He has lovers, who always seek for the ca - thousands of acres in Chillakuru categorically stated and recorded resses of the nature to make the mandal use such springs for irriga - about the springs and also men - world their kin. tion purpose. Locals call these how to reach: springs as ‘Sona rivulets’. The mean - ifnogl okfl Soornea oinn a S doicntiaon Sapryr isnaygss the white in the egg. The water springs from the sand eternally. Being one of the major cities of Andhra Pradesh and also being one of the affluent districts of coastal Andhra, Nellore has many a They had an interesting folklore to tell in which they had belief. Long, source of connectivity through road and rail. It is very near to pil - long ago once the sea was angry and grim city Tirupati and also Chennai. Nellore Railway station falls Ia huge tide fell and damaged all the in the important railway route, connecting Chennai. Thus, it is villages on its way back to the sea. well connected to most major cities of the country like Mumbai, Since then sand dunes were formed Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar. All the and God has been creating the spring acvcilolagmes min aondd aarotuinod nChillakuru mandal are around 45 KM away between them. There are big cities from Nellore and obviously very accessible. buried underneath and the Sona Haritha Hotel, Nellore water is the tears of the people living there.’ That was what the locals said. We cannot brush aside their belief just like that. The reference of Sona Beautiful with tranquil locality of Dargamitta, Haritha Hotel of springs appears in the 51st volume of APTDC is to provide comfortable accommodation to tourists. AP East and West Journal. It says that Tourism has opened this modern hotel, with excellent spacious there used to be a port city near this Kothapalem . Between 300 BC and deluxe rooms and attached restaurant. It is located near AC Subba 200 AD Greek and Romans were en - Reddy Stadium, Trunk Road. - Dr Lenin Dhanisetti gaged in trading from this port to for - Rooms could be booked online, or through phone booking: +91 eign lands. The research article was 861-2347707/08/09 JANUARY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG written by Archeologist KP Rao with 31 ample proof to substantiate his writ - Downloaded from http://smartprep.in HAPPENING AP

Biodiversity park at Amaravati on the project, VUDA’s equity will be the land admea - suring 1.2 acres. The construction time will be 12-18 Sakhamuru village in Thullur mandal of Andhra Pradesh months. will host the single largest lung space in the State’s capi - tal region in the form of a 200-acre botanical garden. The AP-Capital Region Development Authority (AP- Inauguration of CGHS wellness centre CRDA) which is developing it, has identified a 100-acre Central Government Health Scheme’s wellness centre parcel of land for the garden and got it incorporated in on the premises of the Hospital for Mental Health will the master plan. When complete, the garden will serve be inaugurated on January 9. Union Health Minister J.P. as as a tourist spot and a place of interest for school and Nadda will inaugurate the centre. He will also address a college students. meeting on the occasion. Central government officials have informed the inauguration details to Lok Sabha member K Haribabu. The wellness centre will benefit No More Cockfights in AP 30,000 Central government employees in the city, The High Court at Hyderabad upheld the ban on cock - 20,000 retired staff and together with their family mem - fighting and directed the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana bers covers about 1.6 lakh persons. governments to ensure no cockfights take place during the Sankranti festival. The court extended the ban on cockfights wholly and not just during the Sankranti festi - Sri lankan President invites CM val in January. The common High Court for both the Tel - Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena has invited the ugu states passed the orders on petitions filed by the Chief Minister of India's Andhra Pradesh Nara Chan - Animal Welfare Board of India, Humane Society Interna - drababu Naidu to attend the second anniversary cele - tional/India, People for Animals and other organisa - brations marking the completion of two years in office tions. as President. According a special honor the Sri Lankan President has also invited the Chief Minister Chan - Singapore model of policing drababu to address the nation on development. In his letter to Chandrababu, the Sri Lankan President lauded Andhra Pradesh will take a leaf out of Singapore in Chief Minister's policies in reducing poverty in the state policing by involving the community at large, Director- and commended his developmental schemes to better General of Police N. Sambasiva Rao said. The DGP told a village administration and his schemes like pension and media conference that community policing imple - food processing. The Sri Lankan President has expressed mented in Chittoor district on a pilot basis would be his wish to maintain close ties with Andhra Pradesh. replicated in other districts as well in the new year. Suc - cessful policing demanded community participation and working from behind, he said even while underscoring Neet paper to be in telugu too the need for a change in police personnel outlook while dealing with public. Expressing concern over a high Medical aspirants from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana 24,000 accidents in the State this year with over 8,000 can write the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test people succumbing to injuries, he said all the liquor (NEET) test in Telugu language from next year. The NEET shops close to National Highways would be removed as is mandatory for entry into medical colleges from the per the Supreme Court’s guidelines. ensuing academic year. In fact, the exam can be taken in eight languages — Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Tamil and Telugu. The decision was Boeing-shaped It tower in vizag taken by the Central government after consultations Work is set to be launched on the IT tower, a Boeing- with the State governments on the exam pattern and shaped super-structure with glass frames, in the heart related aspects. of Visakhapatnam. The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has entrusted the job of construction to the Akademies to be re-launched Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA). The stone for the prestigious project was laid by Union In a bid to revive the glory of Telugu language and cul - IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad early 2016. The ground- ture, the State government is going to re-launch three plus-eight-floor tower is expected to give a big boost to akademies, besides conducting theatre workshops on a the growth of the IT sector in the city – the largest with large scale, according to Mandali Buddha Prasad, a turnover of Rs.2,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh. The Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. “An an - tower will come up at Siripuram, where VUDA office is nouncement will be made soon by Chief Minister N. located. While the Centre will spend nearly Rs.40 crore Chandrababu Naidu with regard to the re-launching of

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the Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, Sangeeta Nataka ernment for implementing a technical cooperation proj - Akademi, and Lalita Kala Akademi, which are the need ect titled 'Comprehensive Traffic and Transport Study of the hour to revive our past glory and continue the for Andhra Pradesh Capital Region'. The study aims to legacy of our forefathers,” he said addressing the cente - contribute to the sound development of the Andhra nary celebrations of the city-based theatre troupe, Pradesh Capital Region (APCR) and will be implemented Young Men’s Happy Club, at Dantu Kala Kshetram . in coordination with the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority. The record was signed in the Sr journo Hanumantha rao no more presence of Sreedhar Cherukuri, Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority, Ajay Senior journalist V Hanumantha Rao, aged 91, popularly Jain, Principal Secretary, Government of Andhra known as DNF Hanumantha Rao, passed away on Dec Pradesh, and Takayoshi Tange, Senior Representative, 12th at his residence in Srinagar colony. Rao was associ - JICA India office. ated with media for about 65 years. He worked in sev - eral media organizations, including Krishna Patrika, Inauguration of CGHS wellness centre Eenadu and Economic Times. Rao had been running the media agency Data New Featurs (DNF) for over three Fulfilling a long-pending demand, Central Government decades. Over the years he had trained scores of jour - Health Scheme’s wellness centre on the premises of the nalists and was considered as one of the most re - Hospital for Mental Health will be inaugurated on Janu - spected figures in the field of journalism. ary 9. Union Health Minister J P Nadda will inaugurate the centre. He will also address a meeting on the occa - Special cell to tackle red Sanders Smuggling sion. Central government officials have informed the in - auguration details to Lok Sabha member K Haribabu. State Government of Andhra Pradesh is to constitute a The wellness centre will benefit 30,000 Central govern - special ‘Organised Crime Cell’ to gather information per - ment employees in the city, 20,000 retired staff and to - taining to red sanders smuggling in the Seshachalam re - gether with their family members covers about 1.6 lakh gion. Announcing it in a recently held press conference persons. BJP city president M. Nagendra said the func - in Tirupati, the Director-General of Police N. Sambasiva tioning of the centre fulfilled the BJP election promise Rao said that the unit would not only gather intelligence made in 2014. Earlier, Central government employees but also study various aspects related to red sanders had to go to Hyderabad to get treatment at the health smuggling. According to him, the unit, which is predom - centre there. inantly an intelligence wing, would be made operational by February 1. It would be set up at the Red Sanders Anti Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) headquarters in Carrom players create Guinness record Tirupati. Husna Sameera 16 year-old and 22-year-old Allada Pavan created a Guinness record for the ‘longest APIIC’s borrowing limit raised to rs. 5,000 crore marathon carrom playing’ by registering 34 hours, 45 minutes and 56 seconds at the DRRMC Indoor Stadium The Andhra Pradesh Government has issued orders au - in Vijayawada on December 26. They successfully thorising the Board of Directors of the Andhra Pradesh erased the earlier timing of 32 hours and 45 seconds set Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (APIIC) to by Narayan Paranjpe, Atul Kharecha, Prakash Kagal and borrow up to Rs. 5,000 crores from time to time for land Pramod Sen in Texas, U.S., in 2005. Husna and Pavan acquisition (LA) and for standing as guarantor for a Rs. started playing from 8 am on Dec 25th and played non- 2,000-crore loan proposed to be taken by it (APIIC) from stop (with seven official breaks) until 6.45 pm. and 56 the Housing and Urban Development Corporation seconds on Dec 26th to register the new timing. (HUDCO). The G.O paved the way for the APIIC to pro - ceed with acquisition of land for industries in the Visakhapatnam–Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC), floating stage in river Godavari Chennai and Bangalore Industrial Corridor (CBIC) and Municipal Commissioner V Vijayarama Raju announced the Peninsular Region Industrial Development Corridor that a floating stage would be set up in river Godavari to (PRIDE Corridor) with financial assistance from the organise cultural programmes, which would attract Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan Interna - more tourists and locals too. It would be set up at the tional Cooperation Agency (JICA). Chintalamma ghat near the Kotilingala Revu and the citi - zens of Rajamahendravaram could witness programmes jICA to work for AP capital region by sitting in the ghat. People and organisations could make use of this facility. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed up with the Centre and the Andhra Pradesh Gov - v

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FROM THE CM’S DESK Transitioning AP into a CASHleSS eCoNoMY

While pushing for digital transactions, I'm also aware that we need a huge infra - structure in place before we ask people to embrace digital modes of transactions. ”

been creating massive awareness drives on switching to digital transactions. While pushing for digital transactions, I'm also aware that we need a huge infrastruc - ture in place before we ask people to em - brace digital modes of transactions. For this, students can be prepped up to train older people on using technology. he demonetisation drive by the There are challenges in implementing this Centre is gradually but silently despite the recent expansion in digital wal - driving the cashless economy in let usage as well as the introduction of spe - our country. As the Chief Minis - cialized payments banks. ter of a state, I'm witnessing the A robust payments mechanism to settle digi - problems that people are facing, following tal transactions is also needed. NEFT and the withdrawal of high-value currency. RTGS have been a good start, however. I also Given that our country's ratio of cash to see a bright future for FinTech start-ups in gross domestic product is one of the highest this space as this move opens a gamut of op - in the world —12.42% in 2014, compared portunities for entrepreneurs. with 9.47% in China or 4% in Brazil, we will At this juncture, I'm glad to have received face these issues for a while. However, we the invitation by the Centre to head the need to look at solutions instead of harping Committee of Chief Ministers (comprising of on the problems. 5 CMs) to look into the issues arising out of In this direction, I have had meetings with demonetisation. my officials to understand the readiness of This crisis has hit us hard. However, any cri - Andhra Pradesh into transitioning into a sis gives us opportunities to do better and cashless economy. We are studying the chal - emerge stronger. We will ensure that we lenges and trying to address them. carefully take into account the issues of the For instance, I'm witnessing this readiness unbanked population who need to be in a few gram panchayats in the state. Nalla - trained and try to come up with solutions jerla Panchayat in West Godavari district has for a better and brighter India. 34 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.COM JANUARY 2017 T Downloaded from http://smartprep.in CM IN PICTURES

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Pic 1: CM Chandrababu Naidu discussing implementation of Smart Village programme with representatives of University of California, Berkeley, who contributed to making Mori in East Godavari into a digital village. Pic 2 CM presenting a boquet to President of Ind5ia Pranab Mukherjee at a dinner hosted in honour of the vis6- itng dignitary at Raj Bhavan. Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao is also present. Pic 3 : Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at the inauguration of the 68th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress in Visakhapatnam. Pic 4 : Chief Minister addressing the press after a meeting of the Committee on Demonetisation. Niti Ayog Vice- Chairman Arvind Panagariya and CEO Amitabh Kant are also present. Pic 5 : CM and Union Minister Y S Chowdary in a meeting with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Delhi. Pic 6 : Chief Minster addressing a gathering on World Disabilities Day in Vijayawada.

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Regd. No. H-HD-1082/2016-18 APENG/2007/20679 Published on: 01/01/2017 Posting Dt: 6th