Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao on Wednesday stressed the need for protecting native culture and traditions and asserted that the celebration of Sankranti as a State festival helped in promoting customs associated with the harvest season.
Speaking at Gollapudi on Wednesday, Mr. Rao said the festival was being celebrated in a grand manner under the aegis of the government, which was committed to alleviating the plight of the masses. The Minister said the government had taken up the development of Kuchipudi at a cost of Rs. 100 crore for conserving the popular dance form and transforming the sleepy town into a global tourist destination. Pension to artistes has been increased from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500. NTR Gruhakalpa and Anna canteens will be launched in the near future, the Minister added.
Village sarpanch Venkateswaramma and MPP Jaganmohan Rao were present.
