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Khaleej Times
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Miss World 2025 contestants visit Buddhist heritage site in India
Contestants of the 72nd Miss World Festival from the Asian and Oceanic regions marked the Buddha Purnima festival by visiting Buddhavanam, a renowned Buddhist heritage site at Nagarjunasagar in the south Indian state of Telangana. The heritage tour aims to highlight Telangana's rich history and diverse cultural heritage to offer the contestants the region's profound spiritual and historical legacy. The day's itinerary included a stopover at a guest house near Chintapalli, followed by a photo session at Vijay Vihar, set against the Nagarjunasagar reservoir. The contestants then proceeded to Buddhavanam, the Buddhist theme park developed on the northern bank of the Krishna river, spanning 279 acres. This project, taken up by the Telangana Government as part of an integrated Buddhist Circuit, is designed to showcase the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. The site features intricately carved structures, including the Mahastupa, known for its breathtaking drum and dome carvings, and a virtual hanging sky with lotus petals, offering a mesmerising experience. Dr Shivanagi Reddy, a representative of the state's Archaeology and Tourism Department, emphasised the historical and architectural significance of the site, stating, "Buddhavanam is a testament to India's ancient Buddhist heritage and its role in spreading the message of peace and compassion across the world," the official said. "It's a privilege to share this rich history with the world through the Miss World pageant." The contestants explored the Buddhacharitha Vanam, depicting the life of Buddha, Jataka Park, which highlights stories from Buddha's previous lives, Dhyana Vanam for meditation, and the Stupa Vanam, home to the imposing Maha Stupa, before visiting the Buddhist Heritage Museum, which houses ancient relics and sculptural panels depicting key events from Buddha's life. The visit concluded with a theatrical performance by 18 artists, capturing key episodes from the life of the Buddha. Julia Morley CBE, chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation, expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
‘Kaleshwaram disaster' a case study for engineers: Revanth
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy emphasised that the 'Kaleshwaram disaster' should be a case study for engineers. Referring to design and construction defects in Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, he described this as an example of how political overreach could land officials in trouble. While addressing the newly-appointed assistant engineers (AEs) and JTOs (Irrigation department) at Jalasoudha, the CM urged the engineers to study the irrigation projects in the state, some of which constructed during the Nizam's rule remained intact for over a century. He also asked them to analyse the 'failed project' Kaleshwaram which was constructed merely on the basis of suggestions from former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who boasted himself as top engineer. 'The engineering marvels like Srisailam, Sriramsagar and Nagarjunasagar were constructed at the combined cost of less than Rs 10,000 crore then. However, the Kaleshwaram which was constructed with more than Rs 1 lakh crore has become a failure within three years. You won't find such a case either from the underdeveloped Somalia or from the developed countries like the USA.' He further said: 'Ironically, the Kaleshwaram project was undertaken after an aerial study (by KCR), without even conducting a soil test. Engineers should be doing what they are best at, but here in this case there is a clear case of interference from public representatives. Owing to this blunder, the officials are in the dock, as Vigilance and Enforcement and even NDSA have blamed them,' he said. Reddy alleged that the previous BRS government had spent over Rs 2 lakh crore on different projects, but failed to complete scores of projects which were started as part 'Jalayagnam' in the united AP. 'Had the previous government completed the SLBC tunnel with Rs 2,000 crore, it would have achieved the desired result. The funds were drained like water by the previous government, but the question is whose pockets these ended up in,' he pointed out. With the latest positions filled in the Irrigation department, the total number of posts filled by the present government reached 1,161 within the past 14 months. The Chief Minister described the latest appointments as part of fulfilment of Telangana's aspiration and towards achieving the irrigation needs.
