Naravaripalle decked up for Sankranti

Tirupati: Naravaripalle, the native village of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was filled with fun and frolic on Sunday, a day ahead of Sankranti festival. 

Along with IT Minister N Lokesh, Chief Minister’s wife Bhuvaneswari, her sisters Lokeswari, Uma Maheswari, daughter-in-law Brahmani and grandson Devansh have reached the village late on Saturday. 

It was the tradition that the daughter-in-law should reach early and the family followed it. After assuming charge of Chief Minister in 2014 post bifurcation, the CM has never missed visiting the village to celebrate Sankranti with family members in spite of busy schedule.

He used to stay in the village for two to three days every year, devoting entire time to the family and participating in various activities. While Naidu is scheduled to reach the village on Monday morning, other family members started the ‘Sambaralu’ on Sunday itself.

As Lokesh confined to home, where he met some visitors, Bhuvaneswari, Brahmani, Devansh and others went round the village and visited ‘Rangoli’ competitions along with traditional games and other minor sports. 

The villagers cheerfully received them and actively participated in Rangoli competitions, judged by Bhuvaneswari. Sports events like musical chair, tug of war, balloon blasting, one-leg wrestling and others were also held in which children and youth took part with joy. 

Throughout the competitions, Devansh became the main attraction for the villagers. Speaking on the occasion, Bhuvaneswari has said that everyone should work hard towards nation’s development by creating wealth. 

Recalling that they have been celebrating the festival in the village for several years, she wished everyone should go to their villages and be part of Sankranti celebrations along with friends, family members and villagers. 

Lokesh and other family members visited PGR movie land in Tirupati on Sunday afternoon to watch NTR Biopic Kathanayakudu. Padmaja, Vasumathi, Gayathri, Tanushree, Mounika and Jhansi became the winners of Rangoli competitions. Naveen Laheedhar, Tejdeep, Dharani, Jyothsna, Ramya, Sreenu and others emerged winners in other games. Bhuvaneswari and Brahmani distributed the prizes. 

Meanwhile, all the streets in the village were decked up colourfully and got ready to welcome the Chief Minister. Naidu during his two-day visit will visit Gokup plant near the village and Heritage factory at Kasipentla village. The remaining time, he will spend with family and meeting villagers. He will leave the village on Tuesday evening to Vijayawada.

Meanwhile, SVIMS has arranged health camp which was inaugurated by Bhuvaneswari. She also visited the Pink Bus specially designed by SVIMS for cancer screening among women while SVIMS Director Dr TS Ravikumar has explained the salient features of the initiative. She also visited the nutritious food stall set up by ICDS and took part in installing Vinayaka idol at TTD Kalyanamandapam. 

Security was beefed up at the village in view of the CM’s visit. Urban SP KKN Anburajan reviewed the security arrangements. Collector PS Pradyumna has reviewed the arrangements with officials at Naravaripalle on Sunday afternoon.