Govt to introduce thanksgiving pledge

Visakhapatnam: Human Resource Development Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao disclosed that the government has decided to introduce ‘Thanksgiving pledge’ in all the government and private schools across the State in addition to the regular pledge.

The Minister launched Visakha Utsav secretariat and the website here on Sunday and cut the cake, along with Collector Praveen Kumar, to mark the New Year celebrations.

He informed that a team of farmers, who were benefited with the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project, presented stuffed rice prepared from the first produce paddy to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu as a gesture.

Citing the ancient story of Lord Sri Krishna and Kuchela, he said it paved the way for a discussion in the recent State Cabinet meeting on the issues of reciprocating love and affection and thanking others as was shown by the farmers.

Later, it was decided to inculcate such value-based gestures among youth from schooling stage itself, he added.

Visakha Utsav: The Minister informed that all events and programmes of Visakha Utsav slated to be conducted on January 28, 29 and 30 on the R K Beach Road will be focused in a single area and the 2.5 km long stretch between Hotel Novotel and Kurusura Submarine Museum would be divided into three zones.

From Hotel Novotel to Hawa Mahal, it will be considered as Zone-1 where cultural events and competitions in rangoli and cooking will be organised.

Viswapriya Function Hall will be considered as Zone-II where Flower Show will be organised and up to Kurusura Submarine Museum, it will be the Zone-III with the main venue of Visakha Utsav besides food courts and replicas of various important temples of north Andhra will be displayed.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will release Visakha Utsav logo and poster during his visit here on January 9 and the government has sanctioned a sum of Rs 2.75 crore to celebrate Visakha Utsav as State Official Festival.

The Minister informed that details of Utsav expenditure and other information will be updated on the website to ensure transparency without giving room for any suspicion.

Local artistes would be given preference in the Utsav and Visakha Utsav awards will be presented to those excelled in various fields on the lines of Nandi Film Awards, he added.

Collector Praveen Kumar, Additional Joint Collector D V Reddy, Tourism Executive Director Sriramulu Naidu, VUDA Additional Vice-Chancellor Ramesh, Secretary Srinivas and District Tourism O