Achieving social harmony in village through Sankranti

Former IAS officer G. Balaramaiah at a sports event during Sankranti Sambaralu at Pudi on Wednesday. —Photo: K. Umashanker

Rural sports came alive at Pudi in Thottambedu mandal in the district on Wednesday, marking the commencement of the three-day Sankranti Sambaralu.

The village has been following a unique tradition of organising Sankranti festival since a decade without interruption. Former Endowments Commissioner G. Balaramaiah and his daughter G. Srujana, a young IAS officer, lead the celebrations every year encouraging the youth all over the mandal.

The father-daughter duo believes that Sankranti festival would play a vital role in realising social harmony in rural areas.

Apart from rural sports, they emphasise on giving importance to the various forms of fine arts.

On Wednesday, Pudi village witnessed participation of over 1,000 youth from all over Thottambedu and Srikalahasti mandals, enlivening sports and cultural activities. Earlier, the villagers collectively organised a massive Bhogi fire at Pudi, while women took part in Rangoli works in a big way.