Latest news with #PRASAD
Hans India
a day ago
- General
- Hans India
Jogulamba Shakti Peetha: A Heritage Site in Desperate Need of Attention
Gadwal: The Jogulamba Temple—recognized as the fifth among the revered 18 Shakti Peethas in the country—continues to draw devotees in large numbers. However, despite significant donations pouring in regularly, the temple suffers from inadequate facilities and underdeveloped infrastructure, raising serious concerns among visitors and locals alike. Located in the newly-formed Jogulamba Gadwal district, the temple gained prominence following the reorganization of districts in Telangana. The presiding deity, Goddess Jogulamba, is enshrined in a vast and spiritually significant location that holds immense potential for tourism development. Yet, despite these advantages, the temple has not seen the infrastructural progress it deserves, largely due to the apathy of political leadership—both past and present. Leadership Apathy & Political Neglect Locals and observers note that successive Chief Ministers have failed to prioritize the temple's development. Moreover, the lack of initiative from local elected representatives has also contributed to the stagnation. Some analysts argue that the fact that the Alampur constituency is reserved for Scheduled Castes has led to political sidelining, impacting developmental efforts. Glorious Past, Present Neglect Alampur is often referred to as the "Dakshina Kashi" (Southern Kashi), and it boasts a rich heritage including the famous Nava Brahma temples. These temples, dedicated to various forms of Lord Shiva, were once architectural marvels. However, during the rule of the Nawabs, many of these structures were destroyed and have yet to be restored to their original glory. Many temples today remain in a dilapidated condition, much to the dismay of visiting devotees. Where Are the Donations Going? Despite the influx of donations from devotees and prominent personalities across states, allegations have emerged that these funds are being mismanaged or diverted. Devotees complain that the benefits of their contributions are not reflected in the on-ground development or in the enhancement of pilgrim facilities. Poor Facilities: A Deep Disappointment One of the most pressing concerns is the poor state of the 'Anna Prasadam' distribution system. Despite daily offerings of large donations, the temple can only accommodate around 40 people at a time in its prasadam hall. This forces many pilgrims to wait for hours to receive free meals. This is particularly disheartening given the volume of visitors the temple attracts. Stalled Progress Under the Prasad Scheme To address such issues, the central government had sanctioned the construction of modern facilities under the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi even virtually inaugurated these buildings. However, to date, these facilities have not been made operational, leaving devotees questioning the efficiency of the implementation process. Call for Immediate Action Being the only Shakti Peetha in Telangana, and the fifth in the country, Jogulamba Temple holds immense religious and cultural importance. Visitors, locals, and devotees are now urging temple authorities, district administrators, and political leaders to wake up to the needs of the temple and take immediate corrective action to restore its sanctity and service standards.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Four acres parking area for Durga temple devotees
Vijayawada: Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (Durga temple) Executive officer VK Seena Naik on Monday announced that a four acres area will be provided for parking of vehicles near Seetammavari Padalu between Krishna River and Canal Road. He said the devotees are facing a severe problem to park their vehicles for a long time and the problem will be solved to some extent with four acres of land provided for parking. Speaking to the media on Monday, Seena Naik said one more parking facility will be provided near Kummaripalem for the convenience of devotees. He informed that more buses will be operated from the Railway station, bus station and Punnami ghat to the Durga temple for the convenience of devotees. He said the temple administration is trying to solve the traffic problem on the temple particularly the on the ghat road. Referring to Durga ghat, the EO Seena Naik said Durga ghat will be developed and expanded for the convenience of devotees. Giving details of the development works undertaken by the Durga temple administration, EO said Anna Daanam Bhavan and Laddu making Bhavan will be completed by Dasara. He said these two Bhavans are very important and construction works continue at brisk pace. Raati Yaga Sala works will be completed by Sravana Masam. Navagraha Mandapam Punah Pratishtha will be held from June 3 to 5. He said the mandapam was built at Sri Malleswara Swamy temple. He said Endowments minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath and West MLA Sujana Chowdary are trying to get funds under the PRASAD scheme from the central government.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Kadiri constituency mahanadu meeting held grandly at PVR Function Hall
Kadiri: TheTelugu Desam Party (TDP) conducted a grand Mahanadu meeting for the Kadiri constituency at PVR Function Hall in Kadiri town. The event saw the participation of Sri Sathya Sai district party president Anjinappa, constituency in-charge Abdul Waheed, and Kadiri MLA Kandikunta Venkata Prasad. The leaders hoisted the party flag and paid floral tributes to the late Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. During the meeting, several key resolutions were passed, including: Drinking water supply project to Kadiri town via Cherlopalli Reservoir, Handri-Neeva Lift Irrigation Project for Gandlapenta Mandal, Completion of pending HNSS canal works in Talupula Mandal to supply water to NP Kunta, Development of a Tourism Circuit in the region, Inclusion of Kadiri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple under the PRASAD scheme, Establishment of government mortuaries in every mandal headquarters, Sanction of a Kendriya Vidyalaya for the region, Residential schools (for boys and girls) under MJPA BC Welfare Gurukulam, Funding for incomplete Minority School Complex buildings, Establishment of a district-level BC Study Circle, Sanction of a Women's Degree College, Approval for an Engineering College, Establishment of a Nursing College attached to the Kadiri Area Hospital, MLA Venkata Prasad addressed party cadre and issued key directions, including strategies for mobilizing public support for the upcoming Mahanadu in Kadapa district.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
PM Modi chairs meeting to review progress in tourism sector
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (May 20, 2025) chaired a key meeting in New Delhi to review the progress of work in the country's tourism sector, officials said. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, his deputy in the Tourism Ministry Suresh Gopi, Union Tourism Secretary V. Vidyavathi and top PMO officials attended the meeting. "The Prime Minister chaired a meeting today to review the progress of work in the tourism sector," a senior official said. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also shared a short video on its YouTube page. "Attended the review meeting chaired by honourable PM Shri @narendramodi to assess the progress in the #Tourism sector. His visionary leadership is the guiding force for all our efforts in making Bharat a top global tourist destination," Mr. Shekhawat posted on X. Several senior officials of the Tourism Ministry also attended the meeting which lasted over an hour, a source in the Union Tourism Minister's office said. It is learnt that besides touching on the broader contours of the tourism sector, two flagship schemes of the Ministry — PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) and Swadesh Darshan — were also discussed.
Hans India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Axing posts of negligent officials indicates a serious warning
Visakhapatnam: The decision taken by the state government on Simhachalam wall collapse incident indicates a stern warning against negligent officials irrespective of the positions they hold. A week after the incident that took place at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple during the 'Chandanotsavam' festival on April 30, the state government suspended seven officials following a preliminary investigation report submitted by a three-member committee constituted to find out facts. The committee, led by Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Suresh Kumar, Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) director Ake Ravi Krishna and engineer-in-chief, irrigation department Venkateswara Rao, spoke to the contractors, engineers and officials concerned before submitting the report. The fatal accident that occurred for the first time at Simhachalam where scores of devotees congregated to witness 'nijarupa' darshan of Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy claimed seven lives and injured a few others. Earlier, when such major incidents took place, the action used to be against either mid-level or low-level cadre. But this time, the NDA government took serious action against the Executive Officer of Simhachalam Devasthanam and other officials from endowments and tourism departments. Executive Officer of Simhachalam Devasthanam K Subba Rao, temple executive engineer DG Srinivasa Raju, junior engineer K Babji and APTDC executive engineer K Ramana and assistant engineer P Madan Mohan along with temple deputy executive engineers KSN Murthy and ABVLR Swamy were suspended over the incident. Meanwhile, contractor Lakshmana Rao, who executed the wall construction, was blacklisted and criminal proceedings were initiated along with other two officials. When enquired, the contractor told the committee members that he was in a rush to build the wall before the festival. So far, the three-member committee submitted only a preliminary report to the state government. However, with the committee set to submit a detailed report in a month's time, there is a scope for axing a few more officials' posts. Following the wall collapse mishap, the attention is not just on probing its cause in various angles but also focusing on the works related to endowments plus tourism departments that are in progress at the temple. In the meantime, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation corporator Peethala Murthy Yadav forwarded a letter to Central and state Chief Vigilance Commissioners, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and AP Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh stating that there is an apparent misuse of funds related to the project works taken up as part of the PRASAD scheme. He further mentioned in the letter that the quality of works carried out by the engineers call for a detailed scrutiny as well. In line with the PRASAD scheme, a number of works have been taken up at Simhachalam Devasthanam to the tune of Rs.54 crore. For months, these works are being carried out and are in different stages of completion. As part of it, a queue complex at Utharagoparam, a four-floored commercial-cum-kalyana mandapam complex uphill, among others, were proposed by the Devasthanam officials. Apparently, after the wall collapse incident, what needs a larger attention is not just accelerating the pending works that are in progress but also the quality of works carried out.
