American Ambassador Kenneth I. Juster visited Vijayawada and the ancient Amaravathi town on Tuesday. The Ambassador met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat and discussed the developments in Andhra Pradesh and ties with the U.S.
In Vijayawada, he visited the Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM), a local NGO, and paid his respects to Chennupati Vidya, president of the organisation, who died on Sunday. He offered flowers to a portrait of Ms. Vidya and went around the stalls put up by women mentored through VMM welfare programmes, supported by the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad.
In the ancient Amaravathi town, Mr. Juster visited the Amaravathi Heritage Centre and Museum and the Buddhist sites around. Chief Curator of the museum Amareswar Galla briefed him about the project and the restoration work in progress at the museum.
John Guy, curator of the South and Southeast Asian Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, also in India to pursue collaborations for a major international exhibition at the Met, joined the Ambassador at the ancient town.
He saw the priceless Buddhist relic caskets and also went around the Mahastupa. Prof. Galla explained to him the layers of history ensconced in this ancient land and its unique architecture.
A vegetarian lunch was served at the zamindar’s house.
Earlier, the Ambassador got a peek into the architectural history of the region at the Undavalli caves before heading to Amaravathi.
Mr. Juster said: “On my first visit to the Sunshine State, I have been impressed by the many people who have helped Andhra Pradesh become a centre of policy, commerce and culture in India. I am proud of the work the U.S. Mission in India is doing in this State on key issues such as entrepreneurship, smart cities and anti-trafficking.I also want to express the deepest sympathies of the American people on the passing away of Ms. Chennupati Vidya. I met her impressive team and I am confident they will carry her vision forward.”
