Attendance of VIPs, cultural events mark AP capital ceremony

AMARAVATI: The foundation stone laying ceremony of Andhra Pradesh's capital city Amaravati, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a galaxy of prominent personalities today, was a grand function which saw a number of events that blended tradition and modernity.

The event saw the participation of Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu, Bandaru Dattatreya, Nirmala Sitharaman and YS Chowdary, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Singapore minister Iswaran, Japan minister Yasuke Takagi, Supreme Court judge NV Ramana, Acting Chief Justice of Hyderabad High Court Dilip Bhosle.

Eminent personalities from diverse fields, like media baron Ramoji Rao, industrialists including GMR Group Head G M Rao, Apollo Group's Prathap C Reddy, GVK Group's GV Sanjay Reddy and badminton chief national coach Pullela Gopichand were also present on the occasion.

Expressing gratitude to farmers and other land owners who gave their land for construction of the capital, a traditional dance ballet 'Rytuku Vandanam' (salutations to farmer) was performed on the occasion.

The state government has "pooled" about 33,000 acres of land from farmers and others for development of the capital.

Those attending the event were provided with traditional Andhra delicacies like 'pulihora' (yellow and lemon rice), 'chakra pongali', 'boorelu' (a sweet) and 'garelu' (vada) as the event coincided with the 'Vijaya Dasami' festival.

Conch shells were blown on the occasion as a mark of good tidings for the capital city.

Prominent percussionist Sivamani, who is also famous for his performances in south Indian films, presented a performance, which enthralled the visitors ahead of the arrival of the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.

A 'Kuchipudi' show, the traditional dance form which originated in Kuchipudi village near Vijayawada, was performed on the occasion.

Several members of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's family and other relatives were in attendance. Naidu's brother-in-law and MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna, who is a leading hero in Telugu films, drew loud cheers as he made an appearance before the public.