Boost for sports in Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam

Tirupati: Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV) here will get a major boost in developing sports infrastructure as it will be getting Rs 40.62 crore under ‘Khelo India’ scheme of the central government, said the Minister for Youth and Sports Kollu Ravindra. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will launch the scheme in the varsity soon under which it will become a sports centre of excellence.

Addressing the 1,250 participants from 36 universities from South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry, who have come to participate in the 34th Inter University South Zone Youth Festival being hosted by SPMVV in Tirupati on Sunday, the Minister said a sports city will be coming up at Surappakasam near Tirupati in 150 acres.

The Minister said varsity was founded by the visionary Chief Minister NT Rama Rao. Since then, SPMVV has grown by leaps and bounds, he informed the participants. At present, 5,000 students are pursuing various courses in several departments, he stated and mentioned that the varsity has emerged as one of the key universities in the country.

The average age of population in the country was 29 and 65 per cent of population were in the age bracket of 18-35 years. In making India number one in the world, the youth force is going to play a pivotal role, said Ravindra and added youth in the state are excelling in the IT sector worldwide because of Naidu’s efforts in the combined state. The Minister pointed out that the AP is the only state in the world which is offering monthly unemployment allowance to youth for improving their skills.

Minister for Industries N Amaranatha Reddy reiterated that Tirupati will be witnessing tremendous development in the coming days and employment opportunities were coming up for the youth in a big way. For the bright future of youth, the government has been implementing various schemes with a clear vision.

President of Association of Indian Universities (AIU) Sandeep Sancheti observed that it was a rare occasion that a university got the opportunity to host such an event for second time in 34 years while there were many other universities, which did not get even a single opportunity till now. It is time for SPMVV to showcase their hospitality and ability to conduct such great events.

SPMVV V-C Prof V Durga Bhavani has delivered welcome address. MLA M Suguna, TUDA Chairman G Narasimha Yadav also spoke on the occasion in which Joint Secretary of AIU Samson David, Observer from AIU Sourabh, SAAP Director Sridhar Varma, Rector Prof V Uma, Registrar Prof DM Mamatha and Organising Secretary Dr U Himabindu also were present.

Earlier, showcasing the varied cultural heritage of South India, which resulted in the tag of ‘Unity in Diversity’, students from across the zone took out a massive cultural rally displaying various art forms and traditions and cultures.

Rhythmic dancing and mellifluous sounds of traditional instruments reverberated the auditorium as well as throughout the rally. Students danced their way, much to the visual delight of the people. The competitions under various events will begin on Monday and will continue for three days.