Most of the roads in the city, including the National Highway (NH-16), which passes through Visakhapatnam, wore a deserted look for a greater part of the day on Monday as most people went to their native villages to celebrate Sankranti.
Those, who came from other cities and towns to meet their relatives during the holidays, made a beeline for the Beach Road on Monday. The ‘near deserted’ roads in the city was compensated by the overcrowded Beach Road and there was no space to park the cars and two-wheelers. Many people flew kites all along the beach and motorists had a tough time in avoiding the manja threads, which came in their way and some broken threads falling on them.
Hundreds of people thronged the TU 142 Aircraft Museum and took selfies and pictures with their friends and family members. They also took pictures sitting on the newly painted dragon and statues of cheetahs and other animals, installed on the Beach Road. The merry-go-round was a big draw but visitors were inconvenienced due to the closure of most roadside shops in view of Sankranti.
Wine shops did brisk business throughout the day. Vegetable vendors said the business was dull contrary to their expectations.
Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI) city branch organised a kite festival at RK Beach as part of Sankranti festival. Children, women and youth participated in large numbers.
Visakhapatnam West MLA PGVR Naidu, who participated as chief guest, distributed prizes to the winners. YHAI State honorary secretary Ch. Ravi Paul, city unit chairman Pundarikaksha, secretary K.V. Prasad, district unit president N. Nageswara Rao and chairman D. Satyabuddu were among those who were present.
Traditional folk dances, performances by Gangiredlu, kolatam, Dhimsa, Dappu, chekka bhajana, buda bukkalu, Komma Dasari, Haridasulu and Tappetagullu formed part of the Sankranti celebrations, organised by the district administration at VUDA Children Arena, on Sunday.
Women employees presented a traditional dance around the Bhogi bon fire. Collector Pravin Kumar, MLC PVN Madhav and MLA Panchakarla Ramesh Babu joined the traditional artistes on the dance floor. Traditional sweets, prepared under the aegis of the Women and Child Welfare Department, came in for appreciation from the gathering.
Children of various schools presented cultural programmes.
