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w CyClng to their future As a part of the ‘Badikosta’ programme, the Government of is providing bi - cycles to girl students of Class IX in the state. It was a random revelation by a young woman at the re-dedication day of AP government, a few months ago, that was the trigger for this program. The woman said that the earlier TDP government had taken up distribution of bicycles to girl students in 2003, which enabled her to complete her school and college. Touched by her statement, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu immediately took up the initia - tive once again and approved the scheme. As many as 1,81,556 cycles were distributed now to Class IX students of 5,628 schools including 246 government schools, 4,432 ZP schools, 319 municipal schools, 471 aided schools and 160 model schools at a cost of Rs 74.93 crore. In rural and tribal and even urban areas, owing to lack of transport facilities many girl students from lower middle class and poor families were dropping out. Giving them bicycles would help reach schools in time and improve their health by providing physical exercise. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that girls would do better than boys in education given the necessary support and encouragement. v Downloaded from http://smartprep.in C O N T E N T S

Kia Motors to invest Rs.7,000 cr in AP Making people partners in 20 10 development

Construction of the new manufacturing facility, Kia Motors’ first in , will commence in the final quarter of 2017. Mega tourism events planned 12 5 Telemedicine 17 centres launched

British Council to help AP Happening Andhra students improve soft skills Various developments across the 32 state of Andhra Pradesh. Mega Solar Park For smoother roads 6 14 nearing completion

City Gallery first of 26 7 SP, Hema Malini bag its kind in India to 15 NTR awards come up in Bali Bali Bali ra Bali Sahoore Snapshot: 9 ‘Protect federal Rajamouli Revenue receipts 16 system’

Vistadome Train Coaches 8 with Glass Ceiling Amazing AP: 30 Moghalrajpuram Caves

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ANDHRA PRADESH EDITORIAL Published Monthly In English & Telugu Volume:11 May 2017 Issue:11 Salivahana Era 1939 Citizen-centric governance uilding a responsive and responsible government is a Commissioner challenge which modern administrations are grappling with S Venkateswar IIS fBor a long time now. With information technology making giant strides, it has now become possible to listen to the pulse of the Editor people on real time basis. Ramesh Babu Kandula Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, a firm believer in harnessing Executive Editor technological innovations to reach out to the people, is a pioneer NCoavreers Pha gNe unna in making use of IT initiatives for improving administrative KIA comes to AP efficiency. The CORE (CM Office Real time Executive) Dashboard Second Cover which the CM monitors on a daily basis was the first attempt at Girl Empowerment real time governance anywhere in the country. The Control and Command Centre set up last year on the eve of Krishna Third Cover Month in pics Pushkarams was also another important step in this mission.

Fourth Cover Going forward, the CM came up with the new concept of creating APIIC Advt on Sunrise State a direct channel of communication between the citizens and the Chief Minister. The mobile app CM Connect, a new feature developed within Kaizala platform of Microsoft, opens up new possibilities in forging an interactive government. Published by: Information & Public Relations Using the new app, citizens can provide feedback on a daily basis, Department which will be reviewed by the CM directly. As the Chief Minister Government of Andhra Pradesh said this move is indeed ‘a big step towards enabling a citizen- Hyderabad - 500 028 driven participatory governance that operates in real time mode’. Ph: 040-23300258 Taking the concept further, the AP government also set up the biggest call centre run by any state government in the county to Views expressed by various receive independent feedback from beneficiaries of various authors in this issue reflect their government schemes. Named Parishkara Vedika , the call centre is a Citizen Experience Management Centre with more than 1200 personal opinions. people working 24/7 listening and interacting with the citizens on Design a day to day basis in three languages. Karthik Beesu These commendable initiatives will go a long way in making people partners in development. Photos: T.Srinivasa Reddy, Printed at Caxton Offset Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad Each Issue : Rs 20/- Annual Subscription : Rs 220/- Ramesh Babu Kandula www.andhrapradeshmagazine.org Editor Email: [email protected] www.ipr.ap.nic.in

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. MAY 2017 Ph: 040-23300258. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

British Council to help AP STUDENTS IMPROVE SOFT SKILLS

CM and other dignitaries after signing MoU with British Council to provide quality education & improve English language proficiency for 100,000 college students.

he Andhra Pradesh government in April entered to be trained by the representatives of British Council, into a partnership with the British Council to who will further train 2,500 teachers selected from all launch a pilot programme to improve the soft across the state. These 2,500 teachers will further provide skills and employability of one lakh university face-to-face training to one lakh students enrolled in AP’s and college students in the state. Higher Education Institutions. The pilot project will focus on providing training to stu - “We have a vision of making Andhra Pradesh the best dents in areas related to spoken English communication, state in the country by 2029 and a major part of this vi - confiTdehnece p biuloildti npgr, obejettcetr employability, CV/resume sion entails developing the state into a knowledge hub, by writing and preparation for interviews. strengthening the system of education to produce well- will address the The pilot project will focus educated youth to enter into various technological fields” strong need to on providing training to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said. improve language students in areas related to He asked the British Council to explore other opportuni - proficiency and spoken English communi - ties and partnerships in the field of education and help in - soft skills of cation, confidence build - crease the employability of students in the state ing, better employability, students in higher Alan Gemmell, director, British Council India said, “We CV/resume writing and will respond to the Chief Minister’s ambitious goals and education. preparation for interviews. provide support to the state in improving the educational It will offer 150 hours (100 opportunities and employment skills of the learners.” hours of face-to-face and Last year, the state government had invited the British 50 hours of online English) Council to conduct an investigation of the current situa - of learning model supple - tion of English language teaching and learning in 14 mented with mobile learn - higher education institutions, where in 139 teachers, 672 ing and English clubs. This initiative also includes the learners and 90 staff members participated in the pro - training of 150 master trainers and 2,500 teachers. gramme. v FTor effective implementation of the project, Andhra The outcomes of the study suggested that there is a strong Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) and need to improve the language proficiency and soft skills of MAY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG 5 British Council will evolve a coordinated approach in se - students enrolled in the higher education institutions in lecting and training 150 highly qualified master trainers AP. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

FOR SMOOTHER ROADS

omputerized Road Management System for preparation of rolling out plans have been completed the State highways and major district roads in for state highways for 8 districts which include the State is expected to improve the condi - Prakasam, , Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, tions of the roads in the state. , Krishna, East Godavari and Nellore. As part of the review held with the officials of the Coming to the districts of West Godavari and Kurnool, Roads and Building department, the Chief Minister N preparing of rolling out plans is due and will be com - Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the working of the pleted soon. sTyhsteem C fhoire thf eM stianteis htieghr ways and major district With regard to Chittoor, Kadapa and Ananthapuram sugrgoeadsst.e d appointing districts the process is yet to begin and will be completed by the end of May 2017. knowledge partners The officials who made a presentation on the road A pilot study was conducted on 40 roads in the district as consultants to management system said of Prakasam to understand the network condition of work with nodal that the RMS is linked to state highways. A number of distresses such as pot - officers to maintain GIS database and by holes, edge breaks, cracks, raveling, longitudinal best road network in preparing multi-year cracks and rutting were found and treatments were rolling plans it would suggested. The overall average network quality of the the State. help in road improve - 1257.66 Km surveyed was understood to be poor and ment and annual mainte - not up to the IRI standards. nance. The officials also informed the Chief Minister that the The framework for the existing roads and buildings maintenance practices APRMS includes data col - which is a combination of ordinary and periodical lection on various as - maintenance has many shortfalls and lacked a scien - pects such as road inventory, pavement condition, tific approach. maintenance history and thickness and traffic volume. The Principal Secretary informed the Chief Minister TChe collected data will be transferred to a database that 7 nodal officers were appointed to ensure the system and then to the decision and support center. speedy implementation of the 7 critical projects in the Here at this center, economic analysis, rolling out of State. plans, work programmes and prioritization of works Nodal officers are appointed to projects such as MAY 2017 6 will be decided. ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG Amaravti – Ananthapuramu National Expressway, Computerization of RMS data linking to GIS and Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

SP, Hema Malini bag NTR awards Flyover (NH 16), Outer Ring Road for New Capital Amaravati, Vijayawada-Gundugolanu Project: 6- laning including Vijayawada Bypass on NH 16, 4-Laning Vijayawada – Machili - patnam section NH 65, Guntur – Narasaraopet,Perecherla section NH 544D, and Beach Corridor Project from Bhimunipatnam to Bhogapuram. Officers were also appointed to oversee works of External Aided Projects for Rural Road, technology development & CM Dash Board and for the develop - Sanctions from the Centre ment of quality methods, Policies, Training programme for institutional capacity building of (R&B) Dept. I&PR Commissioner S Venkateswar, MLA, Actor Balakrishna, MP, Actor Murali Mohan, film Industry personality Ramesh Prasad announcing the awards.

The officials of the roads and buildings department informed the Chief Minister about the recent sanctions made by the Government of India. Rs 3370.93 crores were released by the ndhra₹ Pradesh Government announced NTR National Film GOI for various works. Award to renowned singer S P Balasubrahmanyam for the Under the Central road fund, the Center year 2012 and to Hindi Film actor and the yesteryear dream released an amount of 1690.60 crore girl Hema Malini for the year 2013. The NTR award carries a for taking up of 132 works. Besides cash award of 5 lakh and a citation. this, Rs.896.37 crore was released for The State Government revived the presentation of four prestigious works relating to Vizianagaram Bypass awards instituted in the name of eminent film personalities- NTR, B N , NH 340 (Rayachoti-Angallu) & NH 75 Reddy, Nagireddy and Chakrapani (all national ) and Raghupathi (Mangalore-Tiruvannamalai Road ). Venkaiah Film Award, after a gap of five years. Another 783.96 crores were released Veteran film director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao won the B N Reddy for Railway Road Over bridges and National Film Award for the year 2012. The other two awards — Road Under Bridges works. Nagireddy and Chakrapani National Film award went to film producer The Chief Minister suggested appoint - Daggubati Suresh and Raghupathi Venkaiah Film award to film director Let’s keep AP clean: CM ing knowledge partners as consultants Kodi Rama Krishna for the year 2012. to work with nodal officers to maintain For the year 2013, NTR National Film Award was conferred on Hema best road network in the State. Malini, B N Reddy National Film award to Director Kodanda Remireddy, Nagireddy and Chakrapani National Film award to producer Dil Raju The Chief Minister during the review and Raghupathi Venkaiah film award to actor Vanisree. suggested some steps to make Andhra Addressing the media, Murali Mohan and Balakrishna said the Pradesh clean. He said that the officials committee submitted the list of awardees for the two years to the Chief at various levels should use technology Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and he gave his approval 10 days ago, to keep the state roads clean. “Engi - but due care was taken not to leak the information. neers should take a video which lasts They said the awards could not be announced since 2012 because of for one-minute and they should put the the disturbed political situation in the undivided state. video online. The video should be MAurali Mohan said the committee did not want to discriminate processed using machine learning tech - between Telugu people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as the film nology,” the Chief Minister said. industry was one. The committee as well as awardees belonged to both At the end of the meeting the Chief the States. Committees would be soon constituted for selection of Minister suggested the construction awardees for 2014, 2015 and 2016 for Nandi awards for film, theatre, and maintenance of all the roads Television and NTR national awards and the process would be com - should be brought under the purview v pleted in two months. v of the road development corporation. If The awards for all the five years would be presented at a grand function need be, the corporation can borrow MAY 2017 ANDHRA PtoR AbeD hEeSlH dM ovAeGr AtwZIoN dEa.OysR iG n October or November. 7 funds, he suggested. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

VISTADOME TRAIN COACHES WITH GLASS CEILING

Tourists now can have unfiltered view of the beauty of natural sights along the 128-km route from Visakh to Araku Valley.

iming to provide a ter sightseeing experience. the function along with delightful travelling The coach also has a glass- Prabhu in Bhubaneswar, experience to the domed ceiling, automatic slid - while Araku MP Kottapalli picturesque Araku ing doors and a multi-tier Geeta, MLAs, Railway Divi - valley in Visakhapatnam, the luggage rack, a railway re - sional Manager (Visakhapat - Railways in April introduced a lease said. nam) Chandralekha see-through Vistadome coach Mukherjee and others took The tourists can now sit re - on its Visakhapatnam-Kiran - part in the launch from Vizag. laxed in their seats and get a dul passenger train. clear view of the breath-tak - What’s the most fascinating Railway Minister Suresh ing Anantagiri ghat section, about the Vistadome coaches Prabhu flagged-off the train Lambasingi, Borra caves and is the glass ceiling with elec - through a video link from the tunnels along the route, trically controlled trans - Bhubaneswar. from the Vistadome coach, parency. Passengers of the The specially-designed Vista - unlike the crammed train Visakhapatnam-Araku Valley dome air-conditioned coach, compartments. train can climb to special ob - servation lounges in the Vis - claimed to be a first-of-its- Only one coach has been at - tadome coaches for more kind on Indian Railways, has tached to the train now on a spectacular views. large glass windows and an trial basis while one more will observation lounge that offer soon be added. The Vistadome coaches are passengers a panoramic view also fitted with automatic After the launch, Prabhu said of the sites along the 128-km sliding doors and multi-tier the Vistadome coach was rail route from Visakhapat - luggage racks. The modern being introduced for the first nam to Araku valley hill sta - amenities that the glass time in the country to pro - tion. coaches are equipped with for mote tourism. A unique feature of this Rs convenience of travelers in - A A similar coach would later be clude LED lights, GPS-enabled 3.38 crore 40-seat coach is introduced on a route in the double-wide reclining info system, and multiple TV v northeast as well, he said. passenger seats that could be screens for infotainment, ac - 8 rotated 360 deAgrNeDesH fRoAr aP RbAetD-ESH VMisAaGkhAaZpIaNtEn.aOmR MG P, Kamb - cording to the pressM reAleYa s2e017 hampati Haribabu attended issued by Indian Railways. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

SNAPSHOT

REVENUE RECEIPTS The following details emerged at a review meeting of the Chief Minister with revenue-earning departments in April.

w Tax revenue for the year 2016-17 Duty and Registration. is Rs. 44,055 crores w Likewise, negative growth rate w Non tax revenue is Rs. 5,046 of -49.29% was seen in the crores Forest Department. w Share in central taxes is Rs. w The land Revenue Department’s 26,264 crores growth rate is 17.33% and has w Central grants is Rs. 24,365 earned revenue of Rs.267.90 crores crores. w Total revenue receipts is Rs. w The revenue achievement in the 99,730 crores Transport department is Rs. 2,463.21 crores and the Shortfall under receipts from w growth rate achieved is 15.71%. Government of India for capital city and Polavaram is Rs. w Rs.1,700.61 crores revenue was 3,358.96 crores achieved in the year 2016-17 by the Department of Mines and Ge - Revenue deficit grant for w ology with a growth rate of 22%. 2014-15 given by the Center is Rs. 1,176.50 crores and shortfall w Among all the 13 districts, East projected is Rs. 1,823.50 crores. Godavari district achieved the highest revenue of Rs.315 crores 450 crores given by the center w and Vizianagaram the least for capital city and shortfall revenue at Rs. 30 crores. is Rs.550 crores. The total revenue earned by all Rs. 2,514.54 crores released by w w the 7 departments for the year the Center towards Polavaram 2016-17 is Rs. 46,285.30 crores and project and shortfall is Rs. the growth rate achieved, 985.46 crores. compared to 2015-16, is 9.81%. During the year 2016-17 up to w Krishna District is the highest March 2017, the total revenue w revenue collector with Rs.16,226 realized by the Commercial Tax crores, followed by Visakhapat - department is Rs. 33,566.65 crores nam at Rs.12,130 crores and with a growth rate of 12.29%. Guntur at Rs.3,648 crores. The Prohibition and Excise w The revenue target set for the department achieved a growth w Mines Department for the year rate of 5.88% and has earned 2017-18 is Rs.1,960 crores. revenue of Rs. 4,644.45 crores for the year 2016-17. w GSDP for 2016-17 at current prices is at Rs.6,99,307 crores Negative growth rate was regis - w and growth achieved is 14.65 %. tered in the Departments of Reg - Tax revenue for 2016-17 is Rs. istration, Stamps and Forest. 46,285 crores, growth at 9.81%. w In comparison to the previous Tax revenue as percentage of year, the growth rate fell by GSDP is 6.61%. -4.01% in revenue from stamp v

MAY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG 9 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

KIA MOTORS to invest Rs.7,000 cr in AP

CM and Industries Minister at the signing of the MoU for setting up of KIA Motors plant.

t’s a dream come true for the State of Andhra over 11,000 people, both permanent and temporary. Pradesh. The State Government under the leader - The project is likely to commence work in the last quar - ship of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had ter of 2017 and is expected to roll out the first batch of been relentlessly working to position the state on cars in the second half of 2019, to eventually produce up India’s automobile manufacturing map. And now to 300,000 units each year. its efforts have borne fruit with the signing of the Memo - The Chief Minister in his address on the occasion said Constrauncdtuimo nof oUfn dtehrestanding with Kia Motors Corporation that it is a proud moment for him and as well as to the to set up a car manufacturing facility in Ananthapuramu new manufacturing people of Andhra Pradesh to welcome a global automo - District. The MoU was signed by facility, Kia Motors’ bile giant to the State. Solomon Arokiaraj, Secretary, first in India, will Industries, Government of Andhra “I am very happy that Kia Motors has finalised its invest - commence in the Pradesh and Han-Woo Park, Presi - ment plans to enter India, and has selected Andhra dent of Kia Motors, in the presence Pradesh to set up their new plant,” the Chief Minister final quarter of 2017. of the Chief Minister Naidu. said. He, in fact, advanced the deadline for trial produc - tion from June 2019 to the end of December 2018. Kia Motors along with his associ - ates and vendors will set up a The Chief Minister said that he considers the Automo - green-field car manufacturing bile & Auto-components as a very important thrust sec - facility in Erramanchi in Ananta - tor for the growth of Andhra Pradesh and that today’s pur district with total investment MoU will go a long way in its development history and of USD 2.0 billion. The company will produce strategic will also strengthen his commitment towards “Make in compact sedans and compact SUVs, which will be de - India” program. signed to suit the Indian market conditions. The unit With an accent on manufacturing efficiency, as India’s will incorporate facilities for stamping, welding, painting automobile industry had made great strides in recent and assembly. Besides an advanced training center, Kia years, the Chief Minister said that he is confident that MAY 2017 10 Motors will also establish a townshAiNp DfoHrR tAhePiRr AemDEpSloH y M- AGAKZiIaN ME.oOtRorG s will bring in its latest technology, both in ees. The project is expected to generate employment for products as well as in its machinery and also help I Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

The project, by brining in around Rs 12,000 cr investment, is expected to generate employ - ment for over 11,000 people, both permanent and temporary.

strengthen the automobiles sector in the State by en - Solomon Arokia Raj, Secretary Industries for their hancing its auto-components ecosystem. efforts in making this MoU happen. On behalf of the Andhra Pradesh government, the Chief He spoke at length about Kia Motors profile wherein he Minister assured Kia Motors that the government ma - mentioned that Kia is Korea’s 2nd largest vehicle chinery would extend all the needed support to the manufactuer and that it has a production capacity of project and will stay committed all though. “We will 3.5 million units and annual revenue of the company is stand by you and provide a transparency ecosystem”, USD 45 billion. The company has 14 manufacturing the Chief Minister added. and assembly operations in 5 countries. Andhra Pradesh is poised to become a very strong hub He stated that this MoU is a next major step in Kia’s for Automobile sector in India. Its overall target is to global expansion plans and that it would help them be - employ at least 2 lakh in the Automobile and Auto com - come a strong player in the overseas market. ponents sector by 2020. He assured the Chief Minister that they would con - The government believes that with the presence of Kia tribute to the economic development of Andhra Motors and its ancillaries, the entire region from Anan - Pradesh and in turn sought continuous support from tapur towards Bengaluru will be developed into a the government. strong economic hub. Besides this, the project will “ Kia Motors and Andhra Pradesh are now a family. have a spin-off effect on industrial development and AToPd aAy’us tMoo PUo wlilcl yo pbeena ar nse fwr uchit apter in our company’s employment in backward areas within Andhra growth and also for the growth and development of Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh,” said Han-Woo Park. The Chief Minster said that he would personally moni - tor the progress of the project every 4th Monday and appointed the District Collector of Anantapur as the Government of Andhra Pradesh has identified automo - nodal officer for this project. Both the plant manager biles as a key thrust sector for industrial development. and the nodal officer would be responsible for the With a view to the sector’s tremendous potential to speedy completion of the plant, the Chief Minister said. generate employment opportunities and foster innova - In his concluding remarks, the Chief Minster said “I tion and growth, the state came up with the Automo - would reiterate my Government’s commitment to - bile & Auto Components Policy 2015-20, which aims to wards providing Kia Motors with all necessary support generate new employment opportunities for at least 2 and handholding throughout the implementation life - lakh people and attract new investments of at least Rs cycle.” 20,000 crore in this sector by 2020. Automobile & Auto Components Policy 2015-20 encompasses a holistic Han-Woo Park, President of Kia Motors in his opening v package of incentives on infrastructural support, subsi - remarks said that he is delighted that Kia is setting up dizing common infrastructure development and aiding MAY 2017 its newest manufacturing facilityA inN ADnHdRhA rPaR PAraDdEeSsH hM. AGAZINE.ORG marketing, patenting and quality certification. 11 He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister and to Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

MEGA TOURISM EVENTS PLANNED Fountain and Multimedia show on the banks of to come up by Dasara

ent contribution is 7.03%. The room carrying capacity has increased from 6,742 in 2014 to 8,835 in March 2017. The Tourism department has won three awards at vari - ous occasions this year. “Andhra Pradesh – Emerging Tourist Destination” Award was presented at the ITB (The World’s Leading Travel Show) – Berlin in March 2017. Similarly Most Promising New Destination Award was presented at the Travel Trade Fair - Outbound Travel Mart (TTF-OTM) – Mumbai. And the Pilgrimage Destination of the Year & Best Deco - rated Stand Award was presented at the India Interna - tional Travel Mart (IITM) – Kolkata. The officials informed the Chief Minister that they are focusing on infrastructure development and marketing and promotion for the 5 identified hubs in the State. The department aims at attracting private sector invest - ments worth Rs 2,200 crores for infrastructure develop - ment and has prepared a plan to add as many as 1500 rooms at 5 Star hotels for the year 2017-18. he Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department is mon - CTehnet troaulr igsmov deerpnarmtmeenntt hparso sjiegncetsd a MoU with a itoring as many as 113 projects that will en - Spanish consultant to design and develop an Oceanarium hance the tourism profile of the the State. The at Visakhapatnam. Tourism Department officials informed the Chief The tMoinuirstiserm th date 7p5 aprto-jects worth Rs 3,341 crores have mebnete nh garosu snidgend eandd a another 38 projects worth Rs 10,958 Out of the 11 projects sanctioned by the central govern - crores are in pipeline. ment, 6 have been completed. The centre has sanctioned MoU with a Spanish a sum of 180 crores of which 75 crores were released and These details were shared by the 56 crores have been spent. consultant to design department officials at a recent and develop an review meeting held with the Development of Rayalaseema Religious and Heritage Chief Minister at Velagapudi. Tourist Circuit in Rayalaseema districts, development of Oceanarium at Mahayana Buddhist Circuit, development Rajamahen - Andhra Pradesh’s domestic dravaram Heritage, Eco and Nature Tourism Circuit, Visakhapatnam. tourist footfall has increased by development of Tirupati temple Town, and development over 30% in comparison to last Activities and events planned for 2017-18 of Srisailam Temple Town, are some of the proposals year. submitted to the central government for consideration. The domestic arrival in 2014 was 98 million and has increased to 158.5 million till March 2017. The international arrival For the year 2017-18, 24 mega-events and 76 days of ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG MAY 2017 12 has picked up over the years and is now at 3.24 lakhs. activities with a budget of 65 cr have been finalized by The GSDP contribution was at 6.8% in 2014 and the pres - the department. T Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Sand Marathon, the yacht Pentagonal, Visakha utsav, Sound Cloud, Cooking olympiad, Araku Balloon festival are some of the events planned for Vizag.

Sand Marathon, The Yacht Pentagonal, Visakha Utsav, Sound Cloud, Cooking Olympiad, Araku Balloon Festival are some of the events planned for Visakhapatnam. Buddhism festival, though leadership, Amaravati theatre, Amaravati music and dance show in Amaravati, world spiritual week, crafts Mela, flamingo festival in Tirupati and celebrating A. R Rehman, Konaseema Sankranti, Godavari Dance and Lantern show in Rajamahendravaram are some of the events planned for this year. The Chief Minister after reviewing the presentation said that services and hospitality provided to the tourists is the key element which determines the success of the tourism sector. He asked the officials to involve service tect and perpetuate and different Art providers to provide best services and make sure that Forms, the Committee on Telugu Bhasha has suggested in premises and places are kept neat and clean. its report to establish Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, Andhra Pradesh Sangeetha Nrutya Akademi, Andhra The Chief Minister shared his ideas on how the depart - Pradesh Nataka Ackademi, Andhra Pradesh Drusya ment can plan activities to encourage water sports, vil - Kalala Akademi, Andhra Pradesh Folk and Creativity lage and agricultural tourism and food festivals in the fountain and Multimedia show at Akademi, Andhra Pradesh History Akademi and Andhra State. Bhavani island Pradesh Science & Technology Akademi. The Chief Minister said once these activities are executed he is hopeful that the tourist flow will grow by 40 to 50 % and achieve a growth rate of 15%. Bhuma Akhila Priya, Minister for Tourism, Cultural and Bhavani island is a unique gift of nature and is most ap - made a presentation on the observa - propriate to be developed as a major tourist destination. tDioenps amratdme einn tth oe fd etpealrutmguen lt andg puraogpoes eadn cdh aCnugletsu tro e In this context, the government is proposing to develop a them. She also proposed some new projects of which ‘ fountain and multimedia show on the banks of Bhavani Street Theater’ is one. Island to act as catalyst to increase tourist footfall. BITC envisages to set-up musical fountain with provision for water screen of suitable size for the purpose of dis - The department of Telugu Language and Culture briefed playing laser and high lumens projections on water the Chief Minister about the proposed new infrastructure Screen. All features, including water works, music, laser projects in the State. show will be seamlessly synchronized so as to generate Pavitrasangamam Cultural Centre and Godavari Kalak - mesmerizing shows for minimum 250 spectators. shetram at Kakinada, Amaravathi Cultural Centre, district The proposed fountain would be 75 m wide and 25 m tall cultural centers, Kuchipudi Natyaramam are some of new with world class features on the lines of Bellagio fountain projects proposed. at Las Vegas, Burj Khalifa Lake fountain in Dubai. The The government also proposes to establish 6 schools of laser show content would be highlighting themes rele -v performing and visual arts and also set up a Ghantasala vant to Andhra Pradesh culture. BITC is planning to have Museum. MAY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGthAeZ IpNrEo.jOecRt G ready by Vijaya Dasami. 13 Director, Culture informed the Chief Minister that to pro - Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

MegA SolAr PArk neAring CoMPletion

With the commissioning of the solar park, the installed capacity will go up to 1,867 MW in AP, making it the state with highest generation capacity.

he single large solar park in the world, with a of the Kurnal Ultra project. Bids for the project in April maximum capacity of 1,000 megawatts, is 2015, and only two years later the project is nearing nearing completion in Andhra Pradesh. The completion. "This means that the solar park model is nine-square-mile Ultra Mega Solar Park, which working," said P. Vinay Kumar, COO of Greeniko Energies, costs 70 billion rupees ($1.09 billion) of both public and which is building another solar power park in Andhra private money to construct, contains 4 million solar Pradesh. "We are able to scale up capacities faster. Also, modules. the IPPs [independent power producers] are unbur - The park is located in the Kurnool district of Andhra dened of the responsibility of land acquisition and con - Pradesh, which in recent years has distinguished itself as structing evacuation infrastructure, the activities that the solar power capital of India. It is a joint endeavor of governments are better at doing." India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Along with the Kurnool Park, three other large solar The wanodr tlhde’ As nldahrrgae Psrat desh Solar Power Corporation, a pri - power parks are planned for construction in Andhra singlev-alotec vaetnitourne scomlaprany mostly owned by government cor - Pradesh: Ananthapuram I and II (500 MW each) and park of 1,000 porations. Kadapa Ultra Mega Solar Park at 1,000 MW. Kadapa is ex - Construction of the park began in pected to be operational in 2018. megawatts (1 gi - December 2016, and it is expected These parks are part of an Indian initiative to reach gawatt) is nearing to be fully operational in May. Al - 100,000 MW in solar capacity in 2022. The State now completion in ready, 900 of the park's 1,000 MW has 6,052 MW of installed renewable projects. capacity has been implemented. Kurnool district. India’s renewable energy target by 2022 is 175 gigawatts Kurnal Ultra has single-handedly of which 1 lakh MW should be generated from solar and made Andhra Pradesh the Indian 60,000 MW from wind energy and the balance is from state with the highest solar power biomass, he explained. Following the same, AP has set capacity, 1,867 MW. In second the target of producing 10,000 MW from solar and 8,00v0 place is Rajasthan with 1,812 MW. MW from wind energy, he said, adding that one crore Renewable power activists and energy industry profes - tonnes of carbon dioxide could be reduced per year, if 14 T ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG MAY 2017 sionals alike are impressed with the speed and efficiency the 1,000 MW solar energy is produced. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

CITY GALLERY First of its kind in India to come up in Amaravati

The Chief Minister suggested that a beautiful replica of the sacred Tirumala Temple be constructed on a hill.

‘City Gallery’ which will serve as designs in the next meeting. Amaravati Experience Centre is likely Later the Chief Minister reviewed the to come up in the new capital. Chief proposals for the development of Rajiv Gandhi Minister N Chandrababu Naidu River Front Park and integrated transportation reviewed the proposal for setting up such a plan. gallery. At the beginning of the meeting CRDA officials The city gallery which is perhaps the first of its played a walkthrough video on the streets of kind in India would engage people of the capi - LPS layouts. In a few days the department tal in the development process of Amaravati- proposes to develop a virtual experience of the The People’s Capital. The gallery would come walkthrough video and show it to all the up in an area of 4.5 acres a cost of 13.69 crores. stakeholders involved. After studying city galleries in cities such as Sharing his comments on the video, the Chief Singapore, Astana, Berlin and Chicago the Minister said that a more number of trees, CRDA officials came up with this concept. walking and cycle paths and green ways should The gallery would provide interfaces through be developed keeping in view the climatic physical models, virtual reality experience and conditions of the State. exhibitions for people to participate in the The Chief Minister suggested that Amaravati growth of Amaravati. Besides this it will also should have a wide range of public transport show images depicting the past, present and facilities. He said that main centers in the city future of Amaravati. should be connected through metro and other The temporary structure will be built on centers through electrical buses. Small distance existing infrastructure near the Amaravati travel should be through waterways, he added. foundation stone area and a semi- permanent The Chief Minister suggested that a beautiful structure would also come up to house the replica of the sacred Tirumala Temple be cAapital city model. The proposed number of constructed on a hill. visitors per day is 300 to 500 and may cross River front development activities at Varadhi 4,000 after its completion. Various concepts and pavitra sangam were discussed by the and designs for the city gallery were discussed Chief Minister in detail. He asked the officials by the officials and the Chief Minister has v to take up religious and spiritual activities at asked them to come up with more innovative MAY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAPZIaNvEit.rOa RSG angam. 15 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

State at Inter-State Council ‘PROTECT FEDERAL SYSTEM’ Don't accept Governor's recommendation to impose Presidents rule: AP tells the Centre

he TDP government in Andhra Pradesh, an ally of the ruling NDA, said the central government should not accept the recommendation of a Governor to impose President's rule in any state. Addressing the Standing Committee meeting of the Inter-State Council, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said such a decision was necessary for protecting the federal system in the country. "It has been requested not to accept the recommenda - tion relating to imposition of local emergency under Ar - ticles-355 and 356 of the Constitution of India as the same is against principles of federalism," said Ramakr - ishnudu, who deputised for Chief Minister N Chan - drababu Naidu. He said as regards the role of Governor, it was suggested AP Finatnhacte o nMe minoinsthe'sr time is given to the Governor for giving Ramakrhisish anssuendtu to s aa bidill or making reference to the President each state should wherever required as against the form its own admin - time limit of six months recom - mended by the M M Punchhi Com - istrative/ develop - mission. mental services to He said the recommendations re - The AP Finance Minister said for assenting a Bill that man the depart - lating to providing a fixed tenure has been referred to the President, a time limit of three menTts of health, to Governors and their impeach - months should be fixed. education, etc. ment was not necessary. Regarding the recommendation for creation of more All The minister said as regards fixing India Services, he said each state should form its own eligibility criteria for selection of administrative/developmental services to man the de - Governors, it was specifically sug - partments of health, education, etc. gested that retired bureaucrats He said the Punchi Commission's recommendation re - and judges should have a mini - lating to equal representation to all states in the Rajya mum cooling off period before which they are consid - Sabha was against the interests of larger states like ered for Governorship. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat etc. Ramakrishnudu suggested the Standing Committee Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meet - meetings of the Inter-State Council be mandatorily held ing, while Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Uttar Pradesh at least three times a year. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his Odisha, Tripura "It was further suggested that the treaty-making powers and Chattisgarh counterparts Naveen Patnaik, Manik of Union Government, whenever they are impinging on Sarkar and Raman Singh attended it. v the jurisdiction of states, the state governments con - Chief Ministers of Rajasthan, Punjab and Andhra cerned should invariably be consulted and any financial Pradesh, who are also members of the committee, did 16 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG MAY 2017 loss/burden be compensated," he said. not attend the meeting and sent their representatives. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

AP in forefront teleMeDiCine in MgnregA CentreS lAunCheD implementation

ndhra Pradesh performed ex - ceedingly well in the imple - mentation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Em - ployment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), said Panchayat Raj & Rural Develop - ment Commissioner B Ramanjaneyulu. Speaking at a press conference, he said 6,41,294 families across the 13 districts Livelihood security had utilised the 100 days of employ - ment and Rs. 5,715 crore had been spent for the purpose in 2016-17.

hief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched the ‘Mukhya - The MGNREGA was initiated to enhance mantri Arogya Kendras’ (MAK), e-urban primary health cen - livelihood security in rural areas by pro - tres, for providing telemedicine. The government plans to viding at least 100 days of guaranteed run the MAKs in the private-public partnership mode. Inau - wage employment in a financial year to gurating them at his chambers at the Secretariat, Naidu said the every household whose adult members process to cleanse the government hospitals had begun. Equipment volunteered to do unskilled manual worth crores were lying in the government hospitals. The patients work. “Out of the 13 parameters of the did not benefit though the government had provided the equipment. scheme, AP was in the first position in Future plans Noticing these horrifying conditions, the government had decided to five, second in two, third in one and develop the government hospitals on a par with the corporate hospi - fourth and fifth in two each,” he said. tals, he said. Elaborating, he said with regard to mak - iAng payments within the stipulated time, use of material component, setting The Chi₹ef Minister said AP would be developed as medical hub which would be the destination for patients across the globe. The Indo-U.K. up farm ponds, individual lavatories and Institute of Health, in association with King College, would come up vermin-compost pits, the State was in in the capital city of Amaravati. A medical and health university at a the first position. cost of 1,000 crore would be set up as part of the project. A 1, In spending the funds allocated by the 100-bed hospital would be part of the project, which would be Centre, in providing 100 full days of referred to as the health care city. The government planned to com - work and in starting anganwadi centres, ₹ plete it by 2018, he said. the State stood second. Work on the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) would In providing work to women, it was in begin soon at Mangalagiri in Guntur district. It would come up at a the third place, in the number of days of cost of 1,618 crore. The VIMS at Visakhapatnam would also be allocated work and in growing trees on operational. either side of the roads, it was in the CNaidu, referring to kidney patients, said the government had plans to fourth place while in spending on wages and in the number of families brought set up dialysis centres in all 13 districts. A research centre would v v come up in Srikakulam. into the purview of the MGNREGA, it was in the fifth position, he said. MAY M20e1d7 ical and Health Minister Kamineni SrAinNiDvaHsR aA nPdR PArDinEcSipH aMl AGAZINE.ORG 17 Secretary (Medical and Health) Poonam Malkondaiah were present. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

THE INVINCIBLE KRISHNA DEVARAYA AND HIS AMUKTA MAALYADA

ri Krishna Devaraya (1474- 1530 ??) is very reveren - tially remembered by the people even after 500 years of his coronation on August 7, 1509 for his art of administration, for his smile for friends and sneer for enemies, and for his unique love for literature and art. Valour was this dauntless ruler’s gift. He had been designated king on July 22, 1509. Born at Hampi in Karnataka in a Tulu dynasty, this king of Vijayana - gara empire was most appropri - ately titled “Andhra Bhoja,” “Mooru Raayaraganda,” “Kannada Rajya Ramaa Ramana,” and “Malla Rayar.” Sri Krishna Devaraya, one of the warrior he did physical exercises to up to River Krishna.The Ummathur great emperors of India, was an keep himself combat-ready and region, after its ruler Ganga Raja idol of countless Dravidians, partic - withstand exhaustion. Besides committed suicide, was made part ularly the Tuluvas, Kannadigas and being an able administrator, of Srirangapatnam province. Telugus. Today we know a good Krishna Devaraya was a marvel - Krishna Devaraya effectively put an deal about his rule and characteris - lous army general leading from the end to the raids and plunder of tics through the inscriptions and front in battles, and was exemplary Vijayanagara towns and villages by tShe writings of Portuguese trav - in attending to the wounded. the Deccan Sultans. His army ellers Domingo Paes and Fernao In the history of Vijayanagara, the fought with the Sultan of Bijapur at Nuniz. This Emperor was ably rule of Sri Krishna Devaraya is a Diwani and seriously wounded Sul - assisted by his Prime Minister Tim - splendid chapter. The Vijayanagara tan Mahmud, and defeated him. marusu (said to be from a Niyogi armies were victorious wherever Yusuf Adil Khan was killed and Telugu Brahmin family), who was they fought a battle. His arch ene - Kovilkonda was annexed. At that instrumental for his coronation, mies were the Gajapatis of Orissa time the Bahmani Sultans were which was said to have taken place who had been in constant conflict disunited. Taking advantage of this, on Janmashtami --- Lord Sri ever since the rule of Saluva Sri Krishna Devaraya invaded Krishna’s birthday. Narasimha Devaraya. The Bahmani Bidar, Gulbarga and Bijapur. He His mother was Nagala Devi. His Sultans were also a regular threat. released Sultan Mahmud and made father Tuluva Narasa Nayaka was The Portuguese became a rising him the de facto ruler of Bijapur. an army commander under Saluva maritime power and controlled During the period 1516-1517, Kr - Narasimha Devaraya. He developed much of the sea trade. The feuda - ishna Devaraya advanced beyond an exquisite outlying residential tory chief of Ummathur, the Reddys the River Godavari. He conquered district in memory of his mother. of Kondavidu, and the Velamas of the Gajapati Kings of Orissa, who He always sported a smile and Bhuvanagiri repeatedly rebelled occupied northern Andhra, after treated the foreign visitors with against the Vijayanagara ruler. waging wars with them five times. great respect. A man of immense However, Krishna Devaraya over - Inspired by the success at strength and courage, he was ruth - powered the local rulers, Kon - Ummathur, Sri Krishna Devaraya less in maintaining law and order davidu Reddys, Bhuvanagiri campaigned into the Telangana re - and in fighting the enemy. As a Velamas, and occupied the lands gion which was under the control 18 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG MAY 2017 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

there is an exquisite art of story-telling in verse in the text. krishna Devaraya’s idealism, his love of beauty, and his very fine melody have all earned him the sobriquets of poet-king and a poets’ poet and an ideal literary workman.

of Gajapati Pratapa Rudra. Earlier, with double meaning running into though called a Prabandha (a com - he annexed the Udayagiri fort dur - the Ramayana and the Mahab - prehensive narrative poetical ing 1512-1513. Later, accompanied harata), Bhattumurthy alias Rama - work), reads like an epic written by by his wives Tirumala Devi and rajabhushanudu (Vasucharitra), Sri Krishna Devaraya. Chinna Devi, he offered prayers to and Tenali Ramakrishna (Pan - Amukta Maalyada, in short, is the Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala. duranga Mahaatmyam). life story of Goda Devi (Andal), and The Vijayanagara army later on The noted Telugu scholar Adapa of her deep devotion to Lord confronted the Gajapati army at Ramakrishna Rao says that Krishna Vishnu (Sri Krishna). Goda Devi and laid siege to the Devaraya’s distinction in the was found in the garden of Tulasi fort. The Gajapati King met with a sphere of poetry is evident from plants (ocimum sanctum) that be - crushing defeat. Accepting defeat, the fact that his poetical work longed to Vishnuchitta (Perialwar) Gajapati offered his daughter Ja - Amukta Maalyada had traditionally in Srivilliputhur in South Tamil ganmohini in marriage to Krishna been included among the five clas - Nadu, India. Perialwar took her Devaraya. She was his third wife. sics (Pancha Kavyas) in the Telugu home and brought her up with The period of Sri Krishna Devaraya language which were required loving care in an atmosphere was a golden age of literature in reading for aspirants to scholar - surcharged with love and devotion. many languages, particularly for ship. Krishna Devaraya dedicated Goda Devi’s love for Lord Vishnu Telugu literature. It was hailed as his classic Amukta Maalyada to was symbolic of Madhura Bhakti. the age of “Prabandhas” --- a liter - Lord Venkateswara. A staunch She was head over heels in love ary genre. Several Telugu, Sanskrit, devotee of the Lord, he visited with Sriranganatha (Lord Vishnu). Kannada, Tamil, Jain, Shaiva, Vaish - Tirumala seven times during 1513- Perialwar (Vishnuchitta), her fos - nava poets enjoyed his patronage. 21 and offered several diamond ter parent, could not understand The emperor was fluent in many studded ornaments to the deity. the reason for her impatience and languages, including his mother Sri Krishna Devaraya embarked her strange behaviour. He sought tongue Tulu. Being an accom - upon writing his classic in the form guidance from the Lord to manage plished poet and aesthete himself, of Prabandha after being ordinated the situation.The Lord first nar - Sri Krishna Devaraya wrote by Lord Vishnu in a dream. During rated the story of Mala Dasari, a Amukta Maalyada. His Telugu liter - one of his attacks on King Gajapati staunch devotee who prayed to, ary court was known as Bhuvana of Orissa, Krishna Devaraya had to sang in praise of the Lord and Vijayam. Eight Telugu poets distin - camp at Vijayawada. He availed the danced in ecstasy of devotion. The guished as “Ashta Diggajas” opportunity to visit Srikakulam, a Lord then opened his mind to adorned his court. Among those small town in Divi Seema, in Kr - make him understand who Goda eight literary luminaries, Allasani ishna district, famous for the Devi was in reality and her pangs Peddana, who wrote Manucharitra, shrine of Lord Vishnu. The deity is of separation from the Lord God. was regarded as the greatest and also called Srikakulandhra Vishnu. A perfect melody, a rare sense of was conferred with the title He is famed as Telugu Vallabha beauty, a splendid imagination, a Andhra Kavitaa Pitaamaha (father (deity). It was Ekadasi day. In the lofty moral purity and seriousness, of Telugu poetry). The other seven night the Lord appeared to him in a a delicate idealism and a deep de - poets were: Nandi Timmana (Paar - dream and advised him to write a votion to Lord Vishnu mark Kr - ijaathapaharanam), Madayagari Prabandha in Telugu (as it is the ishna Devaraya’s poetry. Another - Y. V. Ramakotaiah Mallana (Rajasekhara Charitra), best and sweetest of all languages characteristic of the King’s poetry Dhurjati (Kaalahastiswara Mahat - of the country) on a girl (Goda is his beauty of expression and a myam), Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu Devi) who used to offer him a mar - wonderful sensitiveness to beauty. (Raamaabhyudayam), Pingali vellous garland after trying it out Surana (Raghava Paandaveeyam on herself first. Amukta Maalyada, Senior Journalist MAY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG 19 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

CM CONNECT MAKING PEOPLE PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT

isfied with the government’s performance?” “A whop - ping 75 per cent rated the government’s performance as good with just four per cent saying it was bad. I will have a team in my office to monitor the public re - sponse and take required action,” he said. According to a news agency report, those who said that the government’s performance was good also had complaints to make. One farmer from complained that the second installment of his loan waiver was never delivered despite repeated vis - its to the authorities concerned. A farmer from Amaravati capital region complained that he was not being issued the pattadar passbook (denoting the title deed) for his agricultural land. “I met you personally five times over the issue but to no avail,” he told the Chief Minister. Another person from Prakasam district brought to the notice of the CM that the local TDP MLA promised to build a road in his village, but failed to keep the word in three years. One user from Vizianagaram district heaped praise on the AP CM as well as Union Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapati Raju, even as he cited lack of any devel - ndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu opment in his village. “The state seems to be develop - Naidu in April launched a mobile application ing but not our village,” he wrote. “CM Connect” through which people could After reading out the responses, Naidu said, “People connect directly with head of the state. The are happy with our government but it is coming with a The anpepw ru ncso onnc Meipcrto soofft’s Kaizala platform. rider.” When asked about the lack of features in the ap - Calclinitgi zite an “u-dnirqivue an pp in the world”, Naidu, after plication, the Chief Minister said some more (features) launching the app, said, “This would be added in the days to come. participatory gover - is a very interesting experi - nance that “This is a very interesting experiment we are doing ment. This is a milestone as using technology. This is unique not only in the coun - operates in real we are moving for a real- try, but also in the world. People should be positive and time mode will be time e-governance, and one be truthful in their response,” he added. that makes people partners “Be it pension, ration, water, climate or anything else, I helpful to the in development.” government to will address them directly and these inputs will be The app is built into Kaizala used to review the working of that particular depart - draw policies, through which smart phone ment,” he informed. users could respond to a which will improve The new concept of citizen-driven participatory gover - question posed by the Chief the standard of nance that operates in real time mode will be helpful to Minister’s Office and insert a the government to draw policies which will improve living of the people. brief comment. the standard of living of the people of the state, Naidu The Chief Minister said that averred. over 3000 users responded MAY 2017 20 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZ“IIN nEe.OedR uG nbiased feedback from the people through to the question, “Are you sat - A this app, where the people can give their valuable opin - Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

The CM inaugurated "Pariskara Vedika", ion on the performance of the solving the grievances of people in real time and also help a mega call centre government. to curb corruption." in capital city “The people can give their The centre also has unique robo calls through voice of CM Amaravati as part opinion on the performance Chandrababu Naidu on different events and occasions, au - of his initiative to where four options will be tomatic call distribution, interactive voice response sys - given viz., happy, ok, can be tem, computer telephone integration, citizen experience develop citizen- better and disappointed, from management centre application, performance monitoring, centric governance. which they can chose one an - quality management and recording with toll free numbers swer. for people. “The caller’s name and his “This is our first step towards building an interactive how to Connect with AidPen CtiMty ?will be kept confiden - government - citizen relationship for a better Andhra w tial and I will personally moni - Pradesh,” said the CM on the occasion. The state of the art tor every feedback,” he informed. Call Centre located in Guntupalli, Vijayawada, will stand as w w w Install Kaizala from PlayStore. Activate with your phone number. CaCllli cCke onn tDriesc foovre rg arnide Svuabnscre ibe to "AP CM Connect". reCdlicrke osns a"Sl hinaraeu Fgeeudrbaatcekd" on top panel to provide your feedback on the government.

Andhra Pradesh has started a first of its kind call center for public grievance redressal. This is part of the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ‘s initiative to make part of the process of governance. The CM inaugurated "Parishkara Vedika", a mega call cen - tre in capital city Amaravati as part of his initiative to de - velop citizen-centric governance. The main aim of this initiative is to establish a grievance redressal-oriented forum to enable all the citizens to get transparent and ap - proachable services, directly by stating their Aadhaar numbers. The centre is being aimed at getting independent feed - back from the beneficiaries on various government wel - fare schemes, and educating them on ways to derive maximum benefits from respective schemes. an excellent cost-free interactive platform for the citizens to directly enquire, file complaint and suggest. The Citizen contact will occur through various means like queries will constantly be monitored, reviewed and daily IVRS, SMS, voice response, web chat, social media and reports will be sent to the officials of the relevant depart - multiple web platforms of Andhra Pradesh government. ments. The mega call centre was established with 750 seats and The aim is to actively interact with the citizens of Andhra functions for 12 hours a day initially. Pradesh on a day to day basis and provide better gover -v Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said, "Our priority is to nance. MAY 20u1s7 e technology to reach public directlyA aNndD HgeRtA cPeRnAt pDeEr SH MAGAZINE.ORG 21 cent satisfaction level from them. This centre would help Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

GOOD TIDINGS FOR GIRIJANS

or long, the Visakhapatnam Agency region with Girijan sub-plan funds. The new buses would be was written off as a place beyond repair, operated from Paderu and Narsipatnam to Mampa, due to lack of communications and sheer Bakuru, Jolaput, Maredimilli, Gudem, Chintapalli, backwardness. Successive Governments Sileru, Pedavalasa, Donkarayi and other places result - were blamed for neglecting the place. But ing in connectivity to an extent of over 600 km. quite a few things happened during April which will More, the cost of each bus is Rs.25 lakh and though go a long way in the development of the place and plying under Telugu Velugu banner, the buses have help really uplift the tribals. modern equipment making travel smooth and pleas - The first and foremost is the introduction of as many ant even on the ghat road. Andhra Pradesh State Road as ten Telugu Velugu buses for improving transport fa - Transport Corporation occupies the first place in the cilities in the remote areas of the Agency. Transport country plying 12,000 buses over 45 lakh km carrying Minister K. Atchan Naidu flagged off the buses, bought about 80 lakh passengers and won several awards. 22 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG MAY 2017

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Health Minister Kamineni Srinivasa Rao has announced in Visakhapatnam Though the APSRTC is facing a loss of mid-April that Rs.800 crore,, it is doctors willing to confident that it serve in agency area could tide over the would be paid high crisis with support from the State Gov - salaries and also ernment. Laws for appointed through the safety of the pas - National Health sengers and also to Mission. extend the services would be enacted to cater to the needs of the passengers, the Minister said. cated various railway initiatives to the nation at Rail The second impor - Sadan in Bhubaneswar through video conferencing. tant factor is that there are healthy signs for improving The minister dedicated Vistadome coach and laid the medical facilities in the agency. There is this allega - foundation stone for mechanised laundry under BOOT tion that doctors are unwilling to work in the Agency model at Visakhapatnam in the presence of Union due to lack of facilities and backwardness of the area. Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain, Visakhap - However, Health Minister Kamineni Srinivasa Rao an - atnam MP K. Haribabu, Visakhapatnam North MLA P. nounced in Visakhapatnam mid-April that doctors Vishnukumar Raju, and others at Rail Sadan. willing to serve in Agency area would be paid high The Vistadome coach has features like glass roof, LED salaries and also appointed through National Health lights, rotable seats, GPS based info system, etc. offer - Mission. Addressing a review meeting on `Health in ing the tourists to enjoy scenic beauty not only at des - tribal areas' , he said medical specialists who had done tination but also along the journey which has scores of post-graduation would be paid as much as Rs.2 lakh a tunnels. month while doctors with MBBS qualification would get up to Rs.One lakh a month. This certainly is the The mechanised laundry under BOOT model at right incentive for the service-minded doctors to rush Visakhapatnam would significantly improve the to the Agency to have the pleasure of working there quality of linen leading to enhanced passenger without monetary loss. satisfaction. Also, the Minister said that in remote areas where A function was also arranged on the occasion at there are no proper roads and inaccessible for ambu - Visakhapatnam railway station where a large number lance, the Government would introduce bike feeder of public representativesc including Araku services shortly. The blood collection vans in all 13 MP Kothapalli Geetha, MLAs Bandaru Satyanarayana districts started on April 20. Sick new born care units Murthy, K. Sarveswara Rao, V. Ganesh Kumar, will be set up at all community health centres and PGVR Naidu, and P. Srinivasa Rao along with Divisional where there is need, primary health centres will pro - Railway Manager Chandralekha Mukherjee, were vide round-the-clock services, he assured. The Rampa - present. chodavaram hospital will be upgraded with 100 beds Last but not the least, the Visakhapatnam agency and dialysis centres will be set up at Rampacho - region which is notorious for the presence of davaram and Jangareddigudem. The Central Govern - Maoists, will soon see two more companies of CRPF ment would give an incentive of Rs.6,000 to mothers men stationing there to control the situation, who are delivered children in Government hospitals according to the Director General of Police N Samba - and the State Govenment, on its part, would provide a siva Rao who was in Visakhapatnama for a review mother kit, baby kit and Rs.1,000 as incentive, the meeting. This will certainly boost the confidence of the - B. Prabhakara Sarma Minister stated. tribals as well as the tourists going to places like The third incident was the much-awaited Vistadome Araku, Anantagiri, Tyda, Borra Caves, Paderu, coach for the Araku-bound train. Railway Minister Chintapalle and Lambasingi for sight-seeing. Suresh Prabhu laid the foundation stone and dedi - MAY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG 23 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Literary reminiscences Of GURAZADA APPARAO PANTULU

- Vangolu Munisubrahmanyam A social reformer, champion of spoken k k k dialect and a poet of superlative artistic acumen and ingenuity- Gurazada Venkata Apparao (1862 – 1915) stands tall on several counts and is rightly hailed as father of Telugu modern literature. A poet, playwright, writer, critic, Gurazada, through his life and works, shaped the thinking of his contemporaries and influence the later generations leaving his foot prints on the sands of time. During the first decade of 20th century when the times were on the cusp of a new era, Vangolu Munisubrahmanyam had incidentally become his ward. Gurazada treated him like his son and took care of his academics. Later , Vangolu, being a fanatical Gurazada disciple, wrote his memoirs, recalling his close association with he late Gurazada Apparao Pantulu, the Gurazada- "Literary reminiscences of author of Kanyasulkam, needs no intro - Gurazada Apparao Pantulu". In this duction to the Andhra Public. The thinnest human form that I had ever personal account on Gurazada, the seen, he was usually clad in two or writer chronicles his association with three shirts and one or two coats, and in winter, a the literary-colossus. We thank the trifle more of inner and outer clothing, cotton and wool, with thousand as a human to give him a pre - renowned Telugu writer, Akkiraju sentable appearance. But he was a fairly healthy Ramapathi Rao for handing over this man, and what is more, an intellectual giant. He memoir, which is richly historical both was a great scholar in Sanskrit, Telugu and English, in content and expression, for publish - and he could wield his pen with distinetion in any of the three languages. He was the pioneer of the ing it in series in the columns of Andhra new school of Telugu Literature, which is charac - Pradesh. terized by originality of style, of metre, of thought, and of imaginative art. It is a pity he is not living - Editor today, to see the popularity of and the status in lit - erary world attained by the new school that he founded. I came into contact with him in the year 1905, just MAY 2017 24 ANDHRA PRADESH MAbGyA aZcIcNidEe.OntR, Geven as Boswell came into cantact

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with Johnson. I was then a poor student of the Ma - His argument was this. If a learned Sastri is not haraja’s College at Vizianagaram seeking his help to ashamed to talk to his wife and children in good, carry on my college studies. Slowly, I found myself, sweet, polite and colloquial Telugu, why should he be quite unconsciously, both morning and evening, at ashamed to write a literary work of merit in that his desk or in his library, dabbling in all kinds of liter - style and make it available to be assimilated by a ary work that he was doing. Such was the hypnotic wider range of reading public? influence on me of his personality, and my attach - In one of his letters to me he wrote as follows “my ment to him, that my friends at college likened us, in cause is the people’s cause. I have cultured opinion at sport, to the Scottish biographer and the literary dic - my back. I do not mind of those who are incapable of tator of England. understanding the subject, array themselves against When, in 1909, I graduated from that College and left me. Their conversion can do no good to the language. Vizianagaram and settled down as a teacher in my They are so hopelessly wedded to the old highly arti - native district of Nellore, and afterwards at Co - ficial literary dialect that I can never expect them to canada, the literary work that was being carried on write well in the new. Even in the old literary dialect, was disturbed, and the same had to be done by cor - good writers are few. I want young men like you to respondence for one or two years. It was during that create a tradition of good writing in polite spoken period that Apparao Pantulu wrote to me a number speech. I am sorry to learn that Cocanada is still of letters, rather lengthy some of them which are against me”. pieces of fine literature in English, and living trea - Apparao Pantulu was scholar in both Telugu and tises on several aspects of literature, science and art. Sanskrit. It was whispered here and there that he The letters lay in oblivion for over quarter of a cen - was advocating spoken dialect, because he could not tury. Recently they have been recovered and read out write in good literary style. There is a reference to by me to my friends here in Ongole, at whose sugges - this point in one of his letters, wherein he says “I tion, I am endeavoring to present extracts from them suppose you have received my ‘Songs of Blue Hills. If for the benefit of the large number friends, followers, so, review it also along with my play, so that and admirers of the large number friends, followers, philistines may not say “This man has written in and admirers of the late Apparao Pantulu. spokes dialect, because he cannot wield literary di - The parting of literary companionship was indeed alect”. painful, and I wrote to him early in 1909, expressing I remember well that Apparao Pantulu was carefully my gratitude to him and regretting the unavoidable picking up strictly ungrammatical forms in works separation. The following ext --- from his reply to me written in florid artificial literary style. He ridiculed shows not only his particular attachment to me, but the impossible standard of strictly grammatical liter - also his feelings towards “the coming generation”, ature which of the mars the harmony of literary form which we are now in a position to state authorita - and theme. He wrote to me in one of his letters “I tively, has fully justify his expectations. He says “If want more writers, who write spoken Telugu dialect contact with me inspired you with literary enthusi - consciously, not those who pretend to write in the asm, I am sure your acquaintances with me, made old literary dialect and lapse into modern spoken di - me think better of the coming generation, and get in - Spoken Dialect And literary Dialect alect”. terested in them. Through you I recovered my better self”. He wanted to prove that the spoken dialect can be used in any kind of literary work, and for the expres - sion of any kind of sentiment or emotion. He says “I (To Be Continued) It is well know that Apparao Pantulu was a literary am engaged in writing a Drama on the story of Bil - reformer. He used to tell us that literature should be hana to show that spoken dialect lends itself to the v made more democratic. He raised a huge controversy expression of the higher emotions”. on the subject and his play Kanyasulkam, almost MAY 2017 caused an explosion in learned TeluAgNuD cHirRclA ePs.RADESH MAGAZINE.ORG 25 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

SS Rajamouli has emerged as the latest Superstar in Indian Cinema, thanks to Baahubali, which has shattered all cultural barriers across the nation.

Bali Bali Bali ra Bali Sahoore Rajamouli

ack in 2009, when SS Rajamouli's Magad - tant director. Soon, he began working under K heera released in theatres, it not only set Raghavendra Rao and went on to direct few episodes Bnew records at the box-office, but also Ra - of Shanti Nivasam, a TV serial produced by K jamouli's prowess to make epic dramas Raghavendra Rao, which paved way for his directorial was cemented once and for all. No other debut Student No 1. But it was the phenomenal suc - Telugu filmmaker has come close to him, in terms of cess of Simhadri which turned him into a director to turning movies into visual spectacle. Although there watch out for. And in the past 15 years, Rajamouli have been plenty of other films which have surpassed hasn't disappointed his admirers. Magadheera's box-office records, little did anyone ex - Even as he kept pushing the bar, in terms of the emo - pect that Rajamouli would turn out to be the latest tional quotient of his film, Rajamouli never gave up superstar in Indian cinema, purely on his own merit. on his dreams to make period dramas. In fact, he has First it was Eega which stunned everyone and now repeated, time and again, that he's hugely influenced with Baahubali : The Conclusion hitting the screens by Amar Chitra Katha, Mahabharata, and Ramayana, across the nation, the director has turned into a na - and his influences are quite evident in his style of tional treasure of sorts. story-telling. Whether it's Magadheera or Vikra - 26 Rajamouli's journey into filmmaking bAeNgDanH iRnA tPhRe ADESH MmAaGrkAuZdINuE, E.OegRaG or Baahubali, some of the themes likMe AY 2017 early 90s when he joined Kranthi Kumar as an assis - revenge, redemption, quest for power, death, reincar - Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

nation, and sibling-rivalry have made it into his stories in more blatant ways than one can imagine. The success of Baahubali : The Beginning was perhaps only the beginning of Rajamouli's rise to fame on the na - tional stage. In a recent column in India Today, written by filmmaker Rohan Sippy, it's quite evident that Ra - jamouli's way of story-telling holds several lessons for other filmmakers, especially in Bollywood. "Projects like Baahubali are driven by the madness, passion and in - somnia of phenomenal storytellers who recognise the value of universality and timelessness. The Baahubali films are not going to be dated because they are set in a Afaltnhtaostuicg who rtlhd.e Breec ahuasev we e have grown up on Amar Chi - bterae Kna tphale sntotryie so off okitnhgse ar nd queens and revenge and films which have redemption, the film surpassed Magad - feels red-blooded and isn't alien in anyway. In a heera's box-office sense, it is an Indian film records, little did which fits in the Marvel anyone expect that and DC action enter - Rajamouli would turn tainer universe that's flourishing in Holly - out to be the latest wood," Rohan Sippy superstar in Indian writes. Truer words have cinema, purely on his never been spoken! own merit. The thing about Ra - jamouli's films is that they strike an emotional chord which is hard to forget. Take for instance, that iconic scene from Chatrapathi where Prab - has crosses the line, drawn by the antagonist, and the even a shot of the hero challenging the villain. But the fact following bout of violence and emotion is a stuff of leg - that we are in awe of that scene, even after so many ends. It gives the audience an emotional high which is not months of watching the film, speaks volumes about Ra - just hugely satisfying as a viewer, but also a testimony to jamouli's command over the storytelling. Rajamouli's ability to make the audience invest their en - In a recent interview when Rajamouli was asked when did ergy and time in watching a character grow into a hero. he realise that he was good enough to make Baahubali His penchant to create powerful villains has paid off quite films, he said, "I think I've always wanted to make films handsomely, considering how gratifying it is to watch the like this. I'm a big fan of Amar Chitra Katha and Mahab - hero win in the end. In a way, Rajamouli's films, over the harata, and over the years, I've learnt to refine my ability years, have traditionally followed the 'Baasha' template; to tell a story in the biggest possible way." Well, that's all however, the director has, time and again, managed to stun there is to his style of filmmaking - He makes films in the the audience with the emotional highs in the story. One of biggest and most exquisite manner. the bestever interval bangs, so to speak, in his filmography Watching a SS Rajamouli film isn't just a one-off thing in appears in Baahubali : The Beginning. When Bhallaladeva our lives. They remain as a memory that you want to keep realises that the people in Mahishmathi haven't forgotten - hemanth kumar Cr revisiting over and over again. For that alone, he must be their true king Baahubali, we are told how jealous he is of hailed as the best of the lot. All hail Rajamouli! MAY 2h0is1 7brother. The visual cuts to a wide shot of Bhallaladeva's statue looking like a dwarf in front of BaAahNuDbHalRi'A s PimRAagDeE. SH MAGAZINE.ORG 27 There's not a drop of bloodshed in the shot and there's not Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Foundation for AMBEDKAR MEMORIAL laid

CM and other dignitaries at the foundation laying for Ambedkar Smriti Vanam

hief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid the tion, which was almost single-handedly drafted by Dr.B R foundation for Ambedkar Smriti Vanam at Ambedkar. Inavolu village in in the capital “A majority of the members of the committee appointed to region on the occasion of Dr. Ambedkar’s 126th draft the Constitution were unable to fulfil their mandate birth anniversary. for various reasons. But, Dr. Ambedkar, who headed the It may be recalled that the Chief Minister had announced panel, did not give up his responsibility. The Constitution last April that the state government would install a 125- drafted by him became the bedrock of the Indian demo - foot statue of BR Ambedkar in Amaravati to mark the Dalit cratic system which won global acclaim,” observed Mr. icon's 125th birth anniversary. Naidu. He also laid the foundation-stone for a 126-ft statue of Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation Ambedkar that will come up in the park, spread over a 20- for Ambedkar Smriti Vanam, Naidu said the principal acre site. The Smriti Vanam will have a multi-purpose architect of the Constitution had overcome great difficul - Convention Hall with a seating capacity for 3,000 persons. ties in his personal life and was not allowed by his detrac - A Buddhist Dhyana Kendram (Meditation Hall), Dr B R tors to grow in the political arena, but he proved his Ambedkar Memorial Library with his collected works and mettle as an intellectual and a talented barrister. thoughts, Memorial Park with aesthetic and landscaped The Chief Minister said the downtrodden sections would gardens and an Open Air Theatre with a seating capacity remember Dr. Ambedkar for his efforts in getting reserva - of 2,000 people with facilities for conducting multi-media tion implemented and the battle he waged against shows are some of the other features of the Smriti Vanam. untouchability, and vowed to strive to eradicate poverty. The state government has allotted Rs 97.64 crore for the The Chief Minister said he was fortunate to get the project that is expected to be completed in 24 months. Ambedkar memorial built on 20 acres at Inavolu and This includes Rs 25 crore for the 126-ft statue. added it would be completed in two years. Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, Social Welfare Earlier, Naidu consecrated the place at Inavolu where Minister Nakka Anand Babu and others attended the func - Ambedkar’s statue would be built, with holy water and Ction. soil brought from Mhow (Dr. Ambedkar’s birthplace), v Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said that India withstood Parliament and various Buddhist shrines amid the MAY 2017 28 many ups and downs in its history bAutN cDoHntRiAnuPeRdA tDoE bSeH aMAGAcZhIaNnEt.iCngO oM f hymns in praise of Lord Buddha and the strong nation because of the robustness of the Constitu - ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’ by Buddhist monks. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

tIoN beSr thV aIt RBhAimAiliT creek two MegA ProjeCtS APProVeD By SiPB

The two companies together will invest more than Rs 1,000 crores and create nearly 1500 jobs.

he AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) held successful talks with the central government officials in New Delhi for reviving the INS Viraat he State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) project, which was thought to be shelved due to lack of which metunder the chairmanship of the Chief funds. Minis N Chandrababu Naidu granted approval APTDC executive director K Sriramulu Naidu, who along for setting up of two mega projects in the with principal secretary of tourism N Srikanth returned State. from Delhi on Friday, said that the project cost has been Tremag Alloys Private Limited and Tata Chemicals Lim - reduced to Rs 300 crore and all the proposals were ited have been granted approval for setting up of units shown to the tourism secretary in a power point presen - to manufacture Magnesium Ingots and prebiotics. tation. Tremag Alloys Private Limited has come forward to set He said that this Rs 300 crore would be spent for bring - up a Magnesium Ingots Manufacturing Plant in the ing the vessel from Mumbai, construction of dry dock Kadapa Mega Industrial Park in an extent of 100 acres. and development of 500 acre area surrounding it. “It has While the total investment proposed by the company is been proposed to berth the giant vessel at Mulakuddu Rs.660 crores, it will provide direct employment to over village near Bhimili close to the creek. The entire area 1200 persons and indirect employment to 6000 per - Twill be declared as special tourism zone,” Sriramulu sons. Naidu said. The government will be announcing five such The phase one of the project will commence in the special tourism zones across the country to boost month of November 2018 and second phase will start tourism. Naidu said tenders would be called for prepar - from May 2019. The expected turnover is Rs. 800 crores. ing Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Rs 300 crore. This is 1st such project in India to use Pidgeon process As per initial plans, a convention centre and floating to produce magnesium ingots; used primarily for steel, hotel will be constructed. However, the vessel will be auto, aviation industries. docked at special jetty being constructed under Sagar - mala project. Earlier, principal secretary Srikanth said his Tata Chemicals Limited is keen on setting up a Prebi - department will propose 15 integrated projects that otics Manufacturing Plant to manufacture FOS (Fructo- would be easy to get partners for PPP projects. oligosaccharides) and GOS (Galacto-oligosccharides) powders. Tour operators and travel agents who had a meeting with T the collector Pravin Kumar recently said that with exist - The plant will come up in APIIC Industrial Park, Mam - ing INS Kursura submarine museum and the proposed battu Village, Tada Mandal, Nellore district, in an area of TU 142M aircraft museum close to it, INS Viraat will 39.81 acres with a total investment of 400 crores. The boost the tourism in a big way. Vistadome coach intro - expected turnover is Rs 183.crore by 2021 and will pro - vide direct employment to 150 people and indirect em - duced in april and thus in the next couple of years, the v v tourist footfall will definitely increase with the above ployment to 80 members. MApYro 2p0o1s7ed projects, the operators said. ANDHRA PRADESH MAGATZhINeE p.ClaOntM will be completed in two phases and the pro 2-9 duction will start by 31st December 2018. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in AMAZING ANDHRA PRADESH

MOGHALRAJPURAM CAVES Refuse To Cave In To Times

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

fter all, it’s just about rocks Vishnukundins. Prior to Sastry, a threat. Because the monumental in the cozy city with its en - historian, civil servant and keeper site is located in the heart of the viable memoirs of past. of the Madras Record Office, city, proxy to the new capital of The rocks in the swanky Robert Sewell, argued very Andhra Pradesh, it is further in vicinity of Moghalrajpu - strongly that Bezawada was the great danger. Grills have been put ram, seemingly in mystic silence and place where the two famous to protect the site. Cracks appear lying with Sisyphean ennui, are not re - monasteries were located. By the in the rock and rain water seeps in, ally rudimentary, as they appear to be. time he made his observations in forming stalagmites and stalac - The solitary rocks of Moghalrajpuram C18a7v8e tsh eC Cruhamitybalse and Viharas of tites. Every year repairs have to be caves mutely ruminate the empirical Avarasila and Pourvasila were to - conducted to the grills and fences. endurance of history. The rock-cut tally destroyed. An Archaeological Survey of India caves of Moghalrajpuram are, what is (ASI) officer of the Senior Conser - left of a glorious past, that is over 2,000 vator Assistant cadre is posted in years old. Now, the site was crumbling not Vijayawada to protect and main - The site has five rock cut sanctuaries of due to any communal catastrophe, tain the site. stunning sculptures and carvings, dat - wbut hduye t o tthoe pvoteinstiatl vandal ing back to the 5th century AD. Most of It is not merely a leisure trip to these caves. Exploring the these caves are also one of the finest monumental caves will also provides the visitor a better examples of various types of architec - and detailed understanding of rich heritage of amazing ture of those times and also have de - picted some really fascinating Andhra Pradesh. anecdotes of history. The unique monolithic structure houses the con - spicuous sculptures of Lord Nataraja, other attractions Ganesh in one cave. They are still in 1. The Undavalli caves, on the other side of river Krishna good condition among the worn images banks, are surrounded by the green countryside. There of deities. Cave 2 shows an overhanging cornice with artificial windows. opens beautiful view through those ancient sculptures to - One of the three cave temples carries wards other green hills and stands of palms below. Banu idmdphreissti vVei chaarrvainsg oofr ‘Ahridnhda -u 2. Kanaga Durga Temple, which stands majestically over the Cnaarvisew taream’ wphliechs ? is thought to be the Indrakeeladri Hillock on the banks of River Krishna, is the earliest in . major pilgrim center in Vijayawada to visit. A 3. The impressive , which is 1223.5 mt long across the river Krishna has created a beautiful reservoir Archaeologists had gone on record that the site was of Buddhist Viharas, which lake. Boating is also another facility at Bhavani Island re - were later converted into Hindu Cave sorts. temple. Eminent archaeologist and his - torian, Veluri Venkata Krishna Sastry (1934 - 2012), who hailed from Kr - how to reach ishna district, affirmed the conversion. Moghalrajpuram caves are accessible by public transport According to him, Moghalrajpuram caves were the monasteries mentioned from various locations in Vijayawada. Being capital of by Chinese Buddhist pilgrim and Andhra Pradesh on various fronts, also being one of the scholar Xuan Zan(also spelled Hsuan biggest railway junctions of India, Vijayawada has many a Tsang or Hiuen Tsang), who traveled source of connectivity through road, rail and also airways. during 7th century in India to record It is well connected to most major cities of the country the accounts of the life of the people. like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyder - The remnants of Poorasaila (eastern hill) and Aparasaila (western hill) abad, Patna, Bhubaneswar and Tirupati. Undavalli Caves monasteries mentioned by Xuan Zang are very proximate to the city and thus, very accessible as were actually the Moghalrajpuram being part of the city. caves and the Akkannna Madanna v caves located in the heart of Vi - jayawada. Later, the Buddhist Viharas MAY 2017 ANDHRA PRADESH MAGAZINE.ORG were said to be converted into Hindu 31 Cave temples during the reign of the Downloaded from http://smartprep.in HAPPENING AP

Snapdeal partners AP for smart village project soon with the city police preparing alternative routes to divert the highway traffic. The National Highways Au - E-commerce firm Snapdeal today announced a partner - thority of India (NHAI) has already completed soil test - ship with University of California, Berkeley and Andhra ing on the highway from Benz Circle to the Ramesh Pradesh government to enable digital access for small Hospitals junction. To divert the traffic, the NHAI was artisans in the state's 'Smart Village' project. The objec - asked to complete the Kankipadu bypass on NH-65 on a tive of the joint partnership is to create viable solutions priority basis. The government has plans to complete through digitisation and new-age services, Snapdeal the flyover work on time and to inaugurate it in August said in a statement. Under the partnership, Snapdeal 2018 at any cost. The designs for the flyover have been will provide local handloom weavers direct market ac - prepared. The 1.6 km-flyover starts at Ramesh Hospi - cess to buyers across the country, through its platform. tals/Gurunanak Colony junction and ends near the Skew Bridge. 12,000 km CC roads in villages Minister for panchayat raj and information technology N Vizag girl wins gold Lokesh said that the state government would construct Vizag Local girl M Sahithi Varshini has made country nearly 12,000 km CC roads in all the villages by the end proud by winning two gold medals (under-10 year girls) of 2018. The state government will construct under - in Classical and Blitz categories in Asian Youth Chess ground drainage in villages which have a population of Championship held in Tashkent. Sahithi Varshini became more than 5,000 to improve hygienic condition and pre - the first girl from the region to win the medals at the venting seasonal diseases like dengue, cholera. He said Asian level. Indian team ruled the roost at the Asian that the state government would supply LED bulbs to all Youth Chess Championship by clinching 12 medals, in - panchayat offices to reduce power bills. cluding four gold medals. Varshini has qualified to play in the world cadet girls under-10 championship to be flyover in Vizianagaram held in Brasilia in Brazil in August 2017. A third standard AP government and Indian Railways are taking up con - student of a private school in the city, Sahithi was initi - struction of underground and fly over in Viziangaram to ated into chess around three years ago by her father- overcome the traffic snarls. The new fly over and under - cum-coach Lokeswara Rao, a senior officer with the ground passage will help the vehicles to have hassle- HPCL, and chess player Rama Kumar. free journey. Around Rs.10 crore is being sanctioned to build the fly over and underground passage. Once the Collector offers job to Satyam Babu project gets completed the vehicles passing towards Salur and Bobbili can move through underground pas - District Collector Babu A provided a job in the govern - sage and the vehicles coming from return journey can ment sector as an outsourcing staff member to P come by the fly over. Satyam Babu, who was acquitted recently in the sensa - tional B Pharmacy student Ayesha Meera’s murder case. Satyam Babu met the Collector at Prajavani programme work on Benz CirCle flyoVer Soon in Machilipatnam and urged him to provide him a job Work on the Benz Circle flyover will commence very on temporary basis in the government sector. The Col -

A LEGEND HONOURED enowned filmmaker and actor Kasinathuni Viswanath was hon - oured with the prestigeous Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2016. The award is conferred by the Government of India for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cin - ema. The award consists of a Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a shawl. The award will be conferred by the President of India at a function on May 3 at Vigyan Bhawan. A presenter of classi - cal and traditional art, music and dance, K Viswanath has been a guid - ing force in the Indian film industry. As a director he has made fifty films since 1966 known for their strong content, endearing narrative, honest handling and cultural authenticity. His films on a wide range of social and human issues had great appeal to the masses. K Viswanath was born in February 1930 at Repalle in Andhra Pradesh. He recevied the Padmashri Award in 1992 by the Government of India for his con - tribution to filmmaking. He has also been awarded 5 National Awards, 32 ANDHRA P2R0A NDaEnSHdiM AAwGarAdZsI N(aEw.OarRdG ed by the State Government of AndhrMa AY 2017 PRradesh), 10 Filmfare Awards including Lifetime Achievement Award. Downloaded from http://smartprep.in

Minister for it & Panchayat raj n lokesh consoling the family members of the victims of the lorry accident at yerpedu in Chittoor district. he also handed over financial assistance to the victim’s families.

lector, who responded positively, immediately issued or - of the ‘Voluntary Land Pooling Scheme at Amaravati’ ders offering him a job as an outsourcing employee. He under urban governance category. It has also won the also sanctioned a pucca house to Sayam Babu in his na - award for implementing innovative ideas in formulating tive Anasagaram village of Nandigama mandal. Satyam best plans for urban infrastructure. The APCRDA ac - Babu also requested the Collector to provide an em - quired around 32,000 acres in Amaravati through land ployment to his sister as an ANM. pooling scheme for building new capital city. Sreedhar said that the national award was in recognition to sacri - fices made by farmers who parted with their lands Synthetic track to boost sports under land pooling scheme. An eco-friendly Rs 8.86cr blue synthetic track is under construction in Acharya Nagarjuna University, which is AP to pass gSt bill in May session expected to boost sports activities. State athletic cham - The AP Assembly will conduct a special session some - pionship and national junior athletic championship time in May second week to ratify the Constitution events, scheduled for November, are likely to take place Amendment (122nd) Bill for the Goods and Services Tax on the new track under the aegis of the Athletic Federa - (GST), Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao said. At least 16 tion of India (AFI), according to Dr Paul Kumar, Principal out of 31 state Assemblies, including Union Territories of Physical Education College, an arm of ANU. The of Delhi and Puducherry, need to pass the bill with a 400mt-long eight lane track will make way for hosting all simple majority enabling the Centre to seek the Presi - the track and even field events like shot put, javelin dent’s consent. throw, hurdles, triple jump, long jump, high jump, be - sides football and cricket which also could be con - Metro rail works to be entrusted to two firms ducted. This is an international level blue eight lane synthetic athletic track, according to officials. Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) has decided to entrust metro rail project works, except metro depot govt planning municipal residential jr college at Nidamanuru, to two companies. The two companies L&T and Afcons Infrastructure got eligibility in financial The Municipal Administration Department is reportedly bidding that was conducted in Delhi in April. According working on establishing a state level municipal residen - to a senior officer of AMRC, each corridor work will be tial junior college in Vijayawada or Guntur. The students entrusted to one company. Two corridors, one from of municipal schools, who obtain 10/10 score in SSC ex - Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) to and the aminations, will be eligible to get admission in the jun - other from PNBS to Nidamanuru are planned to be ior college and a screening test will also be conducted built. It may take around two months for the project to for selections. The purpose is to provide best education take off. to the municipal school students coming from poor fi - nancial background. The Department has taken the de - relief to nregS workers cision on establishing the college in principle and is framing guidelines. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu instructed officials to suspend working hours of employment guarantee CrDA bags 2 huDCo awards scheme from 12 noon to 4 pm every day in view of scorching heat. Participating in a review meeting with Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah health department officials at Interim Secretariat at Ve - Naidu presented HUDCO awards to CRDA Commissioner lagapudi, he asked them to distribute butter milk to Cherukuri Sreedhar in New Delhi on the occasion of workers during their work period. The health depart - HUDCOs 47th foundation day. The CRDA won two na - ment officials were directed to take immediate steps to tional awards. It has won the award for implementation avoid sunstroke by distributing medicines. v

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title winner Sai Praneeth runner up kidambi Srikanth

Srikanth and Sai Praneeth make it to the top

or the past few months, India’s challenge on count. Playing his maiden Super Series final for the badminton courts has been dominated by the Singapore Open title, Sai beat K. Srikanth in a historic women and Telugu one at that. PV Sindhu has all-India final for a first major international title. been the cornerstone of India’s challenge In a contest lasting 54 minutes, Sai prevailed 17-21, from Rio Olympics last year to the India Open Super 21-17, 21-12 to maintain his supremacy over Series a few two weeks back. But at Singapore Open, Srikanth, ranked a place higher at 29. that has changed with two men – both proud Telugus It was a proud moment for Telugus when both play - - making their way into the decider. v ers later stood on the podium with the national flags B Sai Praneeth and K Srikanth fought for the honours 34 ANDHRA PRADESH MAloGoAseZlIyN Ere.CstOinM g on their shoulders. Sai received MAY 2017 with B. Sai Praneeth seizing the moment and make it $26,250 and Srikanth, $13,300

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Pic 1: CM Chandrababu Naidu after a fruitful meeting with the Consul General of South Korea, Kim Hyung Tae at AP Secretariat. 5 Pic 2 CM and Union Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju welcoming the heaviest and fastest flying Turbo prop in the world TU-142, whcih is to be converted into a museum and placed at Beach Road, Vizag. Pic 3 : AP Assembly Speaker K Sivaprasada Rao meeting Union Minister for Housing and Information & Broad - casting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in Delhi. Pic 4 : CM Chandrababu Naidu complimenting Revanth from Visakhapatnam who won Sony TV Reality Show In - dian Idol. Pic 5 : Nandi TV Awards Committees submitting the report on the Television Nandi awards for the years 2012 and 2013 to the Chief Minister at Secretariat.

Subscription Details: Yearly Subscription rate is Rs 220 for Andhra Pradesh (Eng) Magazine. Readers may send MO or DD in the name of Accounts Officer, I&PR Department, Vijayawada. Mention your full postal address in your letter and send to Accounts Officer, I&PR Department, II floor, NTR Administrative Block, Pandit Nehru Bus Station, Krishnalanka, Vijayawada - 520013 Ph: 9949351534 Downloaded from http://smartprep.in Regd. No. H-HD-1082/2016-18 APENG/2007/20679 Published on: 01/05/2017 Posting Dt: 6th