Sri Vijaya Durga Devi temple at Sri Satya Sai Nagar is gearing up for annual ‘parasa’ (carnival). The shrine is getting revamped with a fresh coat of paint accompanied by ornate patterns of tinted ‘rangoli’ all over the floor.
It is this season of the year that members of Sri Satya Sai Samskrutika Seva Sangham organise a host of events, including Thappetagullu and dappu, to be held on February 22. “Several residents don the role of artistes on the occasion and come together to entertain the viewers, presenting a row of cultural programmes,” says B. Krishna Yadav, president of the sangham.
Nestled in the hilly terrain of Simhachalam Devasthanam site, close to Simhachalam hill range, Sri Satya Sai Nagar is a settlement that drew over 2,000 people together. A home for middle-income people, this neighbourhood is a place where a number of homemakers aspire to get trained in vocational courses. “With an Aganwadi centre-turned-community hall continues to remain unused, short term training programmes such as beautician course and blouse-designing classes can be conducted. Apparently, this will also help us in the long run as it would encourage us to set up units either individually or collectively,” says S. Deepthi, homemaker in the neighbourhood.
At one of the lanes near the temple, a team of sanitation workers gets busy to unblock a clogged drainage channel, scooping out debris.
“It is one of the main problems we face here. Apart from a full-day monsoon that could spell trouble, the shrinking drainage channel has been a cause of concern for us. Two things are constant here—unbearable stink and fight against mosquitoes,” laments S. Chandrasekhara Rao, another resident.
According to colony people, despite steps taken to desilt the drain regularly, the problem remains unresolved. “What we need is a permanent solution as the sewer lines here have become obsolete and need to be replaced,” adds Mr. Krishna Yadav.
Zone IV Commissioner: S. Ramana Murthy; Helpdesk No: 0891-2711480; Mobile No: 9705086888.
