Festive spirit grips people

Vijayawada: There is an air festivity everywhere in Krishna district and in the bordering areas of West Godavari district. Despite the ban on cock fights, villagers are seen thronged the venues to watch cock fights.

In addition to cock fights, ram fights, bullock race and boat race marked the Sankranti celebrations in the district. The cockfights are prominently witnessed in Bapuralapadu mandal, Nuzvid Mandal, Musunur mandal, Chatrai Mandal and Kolleru region of Kaikalur mandal. Villagers and their family members are also seen enjoying the traditional Sankranti celebrations at several places.

Minister for Excise Kollu Ravindra, ZP chairperson Gadde Anuradha and others participated in Sankranti celebrations at Machilipatnam. Gudivada MLA Kodali Venkateswara Rao participated in the Sankranti celebrations in Gudivada, Eluru MP Maganti Venakateswara Rao participated in Sankranti celebrations in Kolleru region and Mandali Budha Prasad participated in the celebrations in Nagayalanka.

In addition to the cockfights, the ram fights also attracted the villagers in Bapulapadu Mandal of Krishna district in a big way. Villagers are seen enjoying the ram fights in a big way. Later the Bullock race also attracted more number of people at several places in the district.

To top it all, boat races were organised in Nagayalanka on the lines of Kerala. Majority of the villagers witnessed the boat races organized at Nagayalanka on Thursday.

Despite the ban, cockfights were organised at several places in the district including Kolleru region and public representatives themselves launched the cockfights at several places in the district. The villagers arguing in support of cockfights said that it was a traditional game and they are not betting on it.