
Festival of bonding celebrated with fervour across AP
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Vijayawada: Raksha Bandhan was celebrated with fervour across Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, with women tying rakhis to their brothers and praying for their protection and lifelong support.
Many families performed special pujas, and markets bustled with last-minute shoppers. Rakhi stalls saw brisk business, while sweet shops reported a surge in sales. Traders said this year's sales surpassed last year's returns, signalling a vibrant start to the festive season.
Chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu celebrated Raksha Bandhan at a tribal woman's house in Vanjangi village. During his visit to Paderu, Naidu visited the house of Vanthala Eshwar Naidu (45) and Vanthala Kondamma (33), residents of Vanjangi village in Paderu mandal.
The family of five, blessed with three boys, was happy to greet the CM and tied rakhi on his wrist. Naidu spent nearly 20 minutes in the house and interacted with Kondamma's children.
IT and HRD minister Nara Lokesh celebrated the festival in Mangalagiri. "I consider all women of Mangalagiri as my sisters, as I do not have a sister of my own. Your blessings give me immense strength," he said. He announced that arrangements were being made to distribute another batch of house pattas in Mangalagiri soon, adding that development works worth Rs 200 crore, including roads, underground drainage, a 100-bed hospital, and a gems and jewellery park, are underway.
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Extending his wishes, deputy CM Pawan Kalyan called rakhi "an emotional symbol of the sacred bond between brothers and sisters". He assured that the coalition govt prioritises women's welfare, highlighting schemes like Deepam 2, Talliki Vandanam, free RTC bus travel for women, efforts to improve roads in tribal areas through the 'Adivasi Thali Baata' programme.
Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha celebrated the festival at Visakhapatnam central jail, where she tied rakhis to 30 young prisoners and urged them to choose a better path. "There are many opportunities to live a good life. Next year, you should celebrate rakhi festival at your home," she told them.
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