Latest news with #Avanigadda
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Tourism Minister pays rich tributes to NTR
Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh paid rich tributes to legendary actor and former Chief Minister of the undivided Andhra Pradesh Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR). Speaking at a programme organised by the X-Ray Literary and Cultural Service Organisation to present NTR Memorial Awards commemorating the NTR's birth anniversary, in Vijayawada on Saturday night, the Minister said NTR was a cultural icon, who not only transformed Telugu cinema but also ushered in a new era of welfare governance in the State. 'NTR was not merely a film star, he was a people's leader who brought revolutionary schemes and global recognition to Telugu pride,' he said. The Minister presented the award and felicitated veteran actor Rajendra Prasad for his outstanding contribution to the cinema over a remarkable 48-year career. Avanigadda MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad, Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Ramamohan Rao and others were present.
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Teachers play an important role in bringing back children to libraries, says Buddha Prasad
Teachers play a crucial role in inculcating and also reviving the reading habit in children, many of whom do not read any book except their guides, said Avanigadda MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad. Participating as the chief guest in a conference organised by the Vijayawada Book Festival Society to discuss measures to rejuvenate libraries in the State, in Vijayawada on April 27, Sunday, Mr. Buddha Prasad said: 'In the early 20th century, the Grandhalaya Udhyamam (The Library Movement) laid the foundation for the Andhra Movement and Independence Movement. While many of us were not born then, we have now got the opportunity to participate in a similar movement, the movement for rejuvenating libraries in the State.' Emphasising that there are two aspects to achieving success in the movement, the MLA said the first is bringing the issues such as lack of infrastructure, vacant positions of librarians, lack of libraries in high schools to the attention of the State government and the second is to bring back children from the clutches of social media towards books and libraries. 'I have full faith in the State government that it will do its part with regard to filling vacant posts and other issues. But what use is the infrastructure when there is no one to read? Teachers play an important role in bringing our children back to libraries,' he said, adding that the State government should also recognise the need to protect Telugu. After the bifurcation, many inscriptions, literary works, sculptures have remained in the museums in Telangana, the MLA said, adding that there is a need to bring them back to the State. 'There is no State Library yet. But the government is considering setting up one soon in Amaravati. All the old and rare literary works will be brought back,' he said. Former MLC K. Lakshmana Rao pointed out that many villages and high schools and government colleges do not have a library and many libraries do not have a librarian. He urged the State government to look into these aspects. The conference was attended by renowned writers, who while expressing concern at the declining reading habit among children, discussed ways to revive it.
New Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Ghantasala was not just a singer, butalso a freedom fighter: Andhra MLA Mandali
VIJAYAWADA: Avanigadda MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad on Monday said legendary playback singer Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao was not only a musical genius but also a dedicated freedom fighter who actively participated in the Quit India Movement. He was speaking after flagging off a heritage walk in Ghantasala village to commemorate the 58th anniversary of Ghantasala's historic musical concert in his native village on April 21, 1967. The walk, held under the auspices of NRI Gorrepati Ranganatha Babu, saw participation from local dignitaries, students of UVR Gorrepati School and ZP High School, and villagers. The event began with floral tributes at the statue of Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, followed by special prayers at the statue of Gautama Buddha. The MLA visited the Veerabrahmendra Swamy Temple, where Ghantasala once performed, and the house of Vemulapalli Veerasekhar, where the singer's family had once stayed. Recalling Ghantasala's contributions to the freedom movement, Buddha Prasad said the maestro was arrested during the Quit India Movement in 1942 and imprisoned in Gudivada for a year, where he shared a cell with freedom fighter Potti Sriramulu. He later took part in Sriramulu's funeral procession, singing patriotic songs in his memory. He also remembered how the Challapalli Rani recognised Ghantasala's talent early on and gifted him a ring, which he later sold to fund his music training in Vizianagaram. The program was attended by former ZP Vice Chairman Gorrepati Venkata Ramakrishna and others.
