Palakol to become cultural capital

Ksheerapuri international short film festival begins

Palakol (West Godavari): Parakala Prabhakar, Advisor (Communications) to the State Government, said that he would strive to develop the town as cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking after inaugurating the Ksheerapuri International Short Film Festival here on Monday, he said Palakol was the birthplace of many eminent film personalities, including actors, directors, writers, lyricists and stage artistes. He underlined the need for laying emphasis on upholding Telugu culture and heritage while focusing on development of the residual Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation of the State.

Prabhakar said the potential of West Godavari district for the development of Tollywood should be fully utilised.
Production of short films with a social message should be encouraged to enlighten rural masses, he said.

Endowments Minister P Manikyala Rao said that with the advent of smart phones, tablets and other electronic gadgets, short films could be produced at low cost. Youth and social activists should produce short films with a message utilising the electronic gadgets of new era to eradicate evils in society and enlighten masses, he said.

Narsapuram MP Gokaraju Ganga Raju presided over the inaugural function.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to former TTD Board member Gokaraju Rama Raju, eminent doctor S V Adinarayana and cine producer and director Tammareddy Bharadwaja on the occasion. Government Whip Angara Rammohan, MLAs Nimmala Ramanaidu and Vetukuri Venkata Sivarama Raju, MLC Meka Seshubabu, organising committee chairman Mutyala Srinivas, former minister Chegondi Harirama Jogaiah, Municipal chairman Vallapu Narayana Murthy, district BJP president Bhupatiraju Srinivasa Varma, Narsapur RDO D Pushpamani and others were present.

Panel set up to probe anomalies: Parakala Prabhakar said here on Monday that the Cabinet sub-committee headed by Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu would conduct probe into the irregularities that took place in implementing housing and other development schemes in the State during the previous Congress regime.

Talking to newsmen here, he said the State Government would take action against those who resorted to malpractices in implementing housing schemes and other development programmes based on the report submitted by the Cabinet Sub-committee.

“The TDP Government will generate lakhs of jobs for youth in the coming five years. The State will certainly achieve economic development under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu,'' he said.