Debate on history of Ugadi held

Vijayawada: The beginning of the New Year of the Telugu people is traced to 78 AD, said Dr E Sivanagi Reddy, at a debate on the 'History of Ugadi' organised by the Cultural Centre of Vijayawada & Amaravati (CCVA) on Friday.

Dr Reddy while initiating the discussion on the subject said that Gautamiputra Satakarni (60 – 90 AD), the Satavahana Emperor, established the Saka Era, on the day on which he conquered the Saka King Chesthana at Ujjain and since then, the historical time in India has been reckoned in Saka Era also known as Salivahana Saka Era in later times as found in the inscriptions issued by different dynasties.

Dr Gumma Samba Sivarao moderated the debate. Dr K Balakrishna, lecturer in Telugu, SRR College, Dr Balantrapu Prasoona, lecturer in PB Sidhartha Engineering College, Bandla Madhava Rao, Correspondent, Sikhara School, PV Sridevi, lecturer in History, Maris Stella College presented their views on Ugadi and the culture centred around the festival, over a period of time.

Dr Balakrishna spoke on the literary references. Balantrapu Prasoona discussed the activities. PV Sridevi presented the historical accounts and Bandla Madhava Rao revealed concept of the poets on Ugadi. Y Harish Chandra Prasad, founder and chief mentor of Malaxmi group honoured the scholars with a shawl.

Prof MC Das, Golla Narayana Rao, K Gopala Rao, Dr Venna Vallabha Rao, Malladi Sai Babu, Sunkara Nagabhushanam, M Chimpiraiah and a good number of students participated in the event.