Amaravati grand fete lifts spirits of people

Despite apprehensions, large numbers support pomp of foundation event

National High Way No 5: "What is wrong in Naidu making this a mega-show? After all, he has a dream and he wants to take his people along with him on this journey. Let there be pomp and show. Let there be some hope for us to cling on." That was the conclusion of a conversation of a small crowd gathered at a way side tea stall abutting the Chennai-Bhubaneswar-Kolkata national highway.

How does the National Highway No 5 running along the east coast of India look at the distant Amaravati? That was uppermost in the mind when this correspondent hit the road. A couple of farmers, a two-wheeler mechanic, an Intermediate student and two passengers heading towards Vijaywada were sipping their tea around 10 am on Thursday and watching the live telecast on a Telugu channel of the Amaravati foundation ceremony.

“Nothing else matters to us as of now. Go to any function, any gathering and the talk is invariably about Amaravati. The model being displayed of the world-class city is superb,” says a student from Eluru

Excitement was evident in their voices. None of them was sure or confident when their dream of the new capital would be realised. But the very scale of the function was like a tonic to them. Amaravati function, as people began calling it, had been hugely publicised. “Nothing else matters to us as of now. Go to any function, any gathering and the talk is invariably about Amaravati. The model being displayed of the world-class city is superb. We only wish this city, as the design shows us now, will be in place soon,” says Annavarapu Suryanarayana, a student from Eluru.

Moving towards Vijayawada, Hanuman Junction circle is equally abuzz. Venkateswarlu, precariously balancing a bunch of bananas on either side of his cycle, was equally happy. “I am not sure when would it be in place, but we shall have one (a capital) soon. This one would be our own. We won't be thrown out of it and our children would not be non-locals at least after 20 years of schooling and college. We need to begin somewhere and here it is today”.

“That is OK. It is alright that we have our own capital and a grand one at that. But....” interjected Srinivasulu, another farmer from nearby Veeravalli, to continue arguing, “We do not need such a big one. Why take away such fertile lands? Farmers might have given their lands voluntarily. But, if it is going to be real estate all around Amaravati, what would the poor people be eating in future if vegetable prices skyrocket?”.

“Amaravati or Godavari Pushkaralu… these things have lifted our depression away. We need many more such shows before the State is developed. If the celebratory mood is absent, it would be difficult to progress,” says a man in Gudivada

In the Vijayawada city itself, the mood is mixed though all of them are glued to the TVs by 11.30 am. “There are genuine concerns over the way Amaravati shapes up. Still, Chandrababu faces a Hobson’s choice. It is a do or die kind of thing you see. He has to do it and has to do everything in a big way to boost the morale of the people. Real estate sharks would be everywhere. There would be a few politicians who would make a lot of money too. It is inevitable. Anyway, let Andhra have its capital,” Nageswara Rao, a businessman of Governorpet adds.

Alapati Koteswara Rao, his minor business partner and a paints dealer, who has sent his three children to the function along with his relative-politician, chips in: “How many of us have seen a capital rise from the dust. I have gone round the world a bit, say Paris, London and New York, Brussels, Frankfurt. Except in Myanmar, we have not seen a capital city of this scale taking birth. Naya Raipur has come up too recently. But, it is no match to the Amaravati we are planning. A city has to generate revenues and be rich to sustain the people. I see no wrong in either the location or the efforts going into making it to make it a futuristic city of all times to come”.

They don’t even care to say bye as they are glued to the TV screen watching Narendra Modi’s arrival. The function is half way through by the time this correspondent reached Gudivada around 1.30 pm. The scene at the bus stand is no different. Adusumilli Appa Rao, who has come to pick up his relatives from TP Gudem is at exit point of the bus stand. Should Modi be announcing either special status or special package?. "If he does it is fine. Otherwise, no problem. Naidu will take care of everything. We have the confidence in him, hence elected him (obviously a TDP follower).”

The symbolism must not be missed here. “Amaravati or Godavari Pushkaralu… these things have lifted our depression away. We need many more such shows before the State is developed. If the celebratory mood is absent, it would be difficult to progress. Andhras know how to labour hard. All roads would lead to Amaravati in future,”he concludes. That is Amaravati, from the Highway!

By:W CHANDRAKANTH