With bifurcate of the State looming large and the fight to keep Andhra Pradesh unified reaching a crescendo, the Ganesh Chavathi festival has also plausibly acquired a tinge of Samaikyandhra.
Members of the APNGOs’ Association, in coordination with Safe Environ, a city-based organisation, distributed 500 clay Ganesha idols to the people and fervently hoped that Lord Ganesha would give them enough strength to ward off “political pollution” and achieve Samaikyandhra.
After the distribution in front of the Sub-Collector’s office, Krishna district Samaikyandhra JAC chairman A. Vidyasagar said the clay Ganeshas were aimed at environment conservation by reducing pollution.
“There is an impending need to prevent ‘political pollution’ and save Andhra Pradesh from bifurcation,” he said.
Reiterating the demand that the CWC roll back its decision on separate Telangana, he said the fight would continue until all hurdles were cleared to keep the State united.
Explaining how bifurcation would badly hit water, education, and employment sectors, he said allowing Andhra Pradesh to split would mean pushing the next generation of Seemandhra region into darkness.
Taking strong exception to the silence of the people’s representatives despite knowing the harmful impact of bifurcation, Mr. Vidyasagar warned that people were closely watching their indifference.
JAC programme
To drum up support, the integrationists plan to offer ‘Samaikya’ puja to clay idols on Monday, paste stickers on trains with slogans of ‘Stop Bifurcation/Save Andhra Pradesh’ on Tuesday, observe 48-hour bandh from Wednesday (September 11 and 12) and organise ‘Mahila Garjana’ at PWD Ground on Friday (September 13).
On Saturday (September 14), gram sabha would be organised in every village across Krishna district and a resolution to achieve ‘Samaikyandhra’ would be passed.
APNGOs Association joint secretary V.V. Prasad, Managing Director of Safe Environ V. Venkateswara Rao, CEO V. Vandana, APSRTC Employees’ JAC leader Y.V. Rao, Class IV Employees’ Association State general secretary P. Srinivasulu and others were present.
Staff of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Vijayawada, also sold tiny idols of clay Ganesha for Rs. 5 each at PWD grounds.
The objective, the board officials said, was to create awareness among people on the need to celebrate eco-friendly Ganesh Chavathi.
Vijayawada Municipal Commissioner G.S. Panda Das urged people to avoid using Ganesh idols made of plaster of Paris.
Art contest
Keeping pace with the flavour of the season, Spoorthi Creative Art School organised ‘Jai Samikyandhra’ art contest for schoolchildren. While the younger lot were asked to paint their thoughts on ‘Ugadi’, the seniors were given topics of ‘Maa Telugu Talliki Mallepoodanda’ and ‘Samaikyandhra Udyamam’.
Students of Aravinda School made eco-friendly clay Vinayaka idols and disturbed them on Saturday. A group of primary kids went around the school campus asking people to celebrate an eco-friendly Vinayaka Chaturthi.
