The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Villagers pin hopes on ‘Tiranga Run’

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Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Villagers pin hopes on ‘Tiranga Run’

J. R. Shridharan

Though Battlapenumarru produced many achievers, it has not received it due recognition yet

PHOTO:CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

House of Pinagali Venkaaiah, who designed National Flag is in rubbles at Battlapenumarru village in Krishna district. —

BATTLAPENUMARRU (Krishna dist): Hope and despair are seen equally on the faces of people in this sleepy village 60 km away from a very urban Vijayawada. People here are gearing up to make the ‘10 K Tiranga Run’, initiated by Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal on February 3, a success.

The run aims to propel the image of Pingali Venkaiah, an illustriously-local son and designer of national flag. They hope that it will help draw Government’s attention to the need to equip the village with basic amenities.

“There is a solitary RTC bus to and from Vijayawada when we need more. In the absence of a doctor, a compounder is in the charge of health care system. Roads are in bad shape and there is no sign of the much-promised cement roads,” said Gottipati Sriram Prasad, a Hyderabad-based physician who visits his native village during Sankranti, when reporters came here on Monday.

No PHC

Though there is a building, Government is yet to open a primary health centre (PHC) to help the 5,000-odd villagers. “There is a PHC with a doctor in nearby Movva Mandal. We’ve asked for that doctor to come here for a few hours a day, but in vain,” said Jaladi Ramalingeswara Rao, another villager.

Though Battlapenumarru produced achievers like the late Kamineni Eswara Rao the Arjuna Awardee for weightlifting and film producer V.B. Rajendra Prasad, it has evidently not got what it deserved. “Everyone talks about Pingali Venkaiah, but nothing was done to enhance his prestige and we hope the Run will help,” said a farmer, Chalasani Srinivasa Rao.

The house in which Venkaiah was born is now rubble. “There are diversified opinions as to how the villagers should use the land in his memory. Some want a community hall while others wish a park. A decision will be taken soon,” said Dr. Prasad.

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