Six-day World Tourism Day celebrations – ‘Dasaravali’ got under way at RK Beach on Wednesday.
The inaugural, which was scheduled at 6 p.m., was, however, delayed due to the late arrival of Ministers at the venue. Sudden showers around 6.30 p.m. further disappointed the gathering.
Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya, who participated as chief guest, said Visakhapatnam has several tourist places, which could attract tourists from far and wide.
She said the government was according top priority to tourism promotion.
Minister for HRD Ganta Srinivasa Rao said ‘Dasaravali’ was planned to entertain the holiday crowd.
Tourism Secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena said the Centre has announced the ‘Best Comprehensive Tourism’ Award to Andhra Pradesh. He said 145 agreements have been reached for undertaking tourism projects with ₹ 1,100 crore during the next two years.
Tourism CEO Himanshu Shukla and Zilla Parishad Chairperson Lalam Bhavani were present.
The cultural activities like Dandiya dance were supposed to have begun at 4 p.m. “I came here by 4.30 p.m. but nothing was held so far,” said a young woman.
“I too did not see anything except for Tappetagullu troupes practising in one corner,” said another woman.
Around 6.15 p.m., the organisers started the cultural programmes with ‘Ganesh Vandanam’ dance by girls. A classical dance by a girl depicting the various incarnations of goddess Durga, Dhimsa dance by a troupe from Araku and Garadi artistes performing in front of the stage caught the attention of the gathering.
‘Tourism Walk’
Earlier in the morning, a ‘Tourism Walk’, from the RK Beach to YMCA, was flagged off by Collector Pravin Kumar. Students performed acrobatics and some skated on Beach Road.
Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) Vice Chairman Basant Kumar, Regional Director of Tourism R. Sriramulu Naidu, District Tourism Officer Purnima, Zilla Parishad CEO Jayaprakash Narayana and District Medical and Health Officer R. Ramesh, officials of various departments, students of schools and colleges participated in the rally.
