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Epochal event in AP history
The much-awaited ceremony of Bhumi Pooja for the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, which took place on Saturday, is set to unfold big dreams of the five crore people and also millions of Telugus across the world.
- Chief Minister conducts Bhumi Pooja for capital city Amaravati
- Thousands of ordinary people, VIPs witness the historic moment
- It marks new beginning and high hopes of a bright future for AP
- State Ministers and Union Minister Nirmala Sitaraman were present
Mandadam (Guntur): The much-awaited ceremony of Bhumi Pooja for the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, which took place on Saturday, is set to unfold big dreams of the five crore people and also millions of Telugus across the world.
Deeply upset as they were with the skewed bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh, leaving the State without even a capital, leave alone necessary infrastructure, thousands gathered with bated breath and hailed the auspicious event as Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu performed the pooja.
It marked the beginning of the people writing their own history. The greenfields of this village, particularly in the Tallayapalem habitation, close to the river Krishna, saw a sea of humanity descend on them with high hopes on their future. People from Thulluru, Rayapudi, Velagapudi, Malkapuram, Uddandarayunipalem and other villages reached the village in the early hours as the priests started the pooja as early as 3 am preparing the ground for Bhumi Pooja.
The recital of Vedic hymns by the priests resounded as the early morning breeze coupled with mild showers were experienced as a sign of divine blessings. Central and State ministers, MPs, state legislators, senior officials and leaders of the TDP participated in prayers and other rituals which continued for two hours. A group of priests offered the prayers, including a 'havan', much earlier as per Vaishnavite tradition at 3 am in the village, located on the banks of Krishna River.
Naidu, his family members and ministers poured cement into a pit to mark the ceremony. A basin made with a kilogram of silver and gold-coated shovel were among the masonry implements used on the occasion. The Chief Minister later ploughed the field with a traditional ploughshare while his wife sowed 'Navadhanyalu (nine chief grains) in the soil. Also present were Naidu's brother-in-law and popular actor N Balakrishna and son Lokesh.
“He says he will build the new capital. I think he will build it,” is a common refrain of the people after watching the Bhumi Pooja. “It may not happen today. But, this is only a beginning,” is what several others observed. “The green cover of these multiple crops will be replaced with multistoried buildings. The multi crops which we have grown kept us all happy all these years.
I hope the multistoried buildings will give even better days for our children,” was what P Ramesh Babu from Uddandarayunipalem observed as he walked out of the venue after watching the event and listening to the Chief Minister’s hour-long speech. The Chief Minister’s promise of giving the highest and first priority to the people in every benefit that the new capital, Amaravati, would accrue had many takers.
“The farmers who have given their lands were paid Rs 50,000 an acre for Jareebu and Rs 30,000 for dry lands. We were told that every family of agriculture labour would get Rs 2,500 a month and we were also asked to open bank accounts,” said a beaming Bhaskara Rao of Malkapuram.
By:D Gopi
