The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Damaged drains

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Monday, Feb 25, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Damaged drains

In spite of the provision of an underground drainage system in the One Town area of Eluru municipality, the authorities concerned have done precious little to ensure its proper functioning. Though the local MLA managed to secure approval of a civic scheme worth Rs. 6.83 crores envisaging renovation or repairs to damaged drains, its implementation is still awaited.

Meanwhile, sewage from manholes continues to flow on to the main roads causing inconvenience to the public. The replacement of the cast iron lids of the manholes with R.C.C slabs is compounding the woes of the road-users. The R.C.C slabs, which are uneven to the surface of the ground, are proving to be additional problem, especially for two-wheelers.

Mohd. Nazeeruddin

Eluru

Woes of pilgrims

While buying a ticket for darshan of Lord Venkateswara at a TTD counter, I saw a pathetic scene, which moved me to the core. An old woman, probably due to illness, was throwing up and almost fainting.

The temple staff present there remained silent spectators, Leave alone medication, they did not even offer water to the elderly woman. Absence of proper drinking water facility and public toilets have been putting thousands of devotees coming to the hill for the Lord’s darshan, to heavy inconvenience. The long queue of devotees, at times, remains static for hours at a stretch and there is nobody available to explain the reason for the delay. Women with hungry toddlers clinging on to their shoulders stand under hot sun for long hours. Only Lord Venkateswara can perhaps put some sense in the minds of the insensitive staff.

K. Nagaraja Rao

Kavali

A shocking incident

The death of a newly wed bridegroom at Tirumala temple came as a shock to the public. There is unanimity among different sections on the view that timely medical attention could perhaps have saved the life of the youngster.

One wonders about the fate of the huge funds the TTD receives under ‘Pranadanam’ scheme when innocent devotees are left to die at the Lord’s abode unattended. The Ministry of Health should probe the circumstances that led to the death and direct the authorities concerned to initiate effective measures to avoid recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.

Banda Nageswara Rao

Chirala

Snap polls

The Congress Government in Andhra Pradesh is anything but stable and the prospect of mid-term polls seem almost inevitable.

In addition to the internal bickering that surfaces at regular intervals, the controversial issue of separate Telangana has caused a wide split among senior leaders of the party. The Telugu Desam Party, meanwhile, also is a divided house on the issue of ‘Samaykhya Andhra’. While both, the ruling and the main Opposition (TDP) are engaged in infighting, the common man is at a loss, as he is left with little choice to spell his electoral preference in the event of a mid-term poll.

B. V. Subramanya Sastry

Bapatla

A surprise choice

One wonders as to where does a degree of Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa, fits into the life of the spiritual leader Ravi Shankar or the Art of Living fame, whose speeches revolve around ‘inner happiness’ the essence of a contended life. Photographs of the spiritual leader accepting the honour from the Vice-Chancellor of Acharya Nagarjuna University V. Balamohan Das were splashed across almost every newspaper the following day of the function. The spiritual saint yielding to the ‘impermanent acquisition’ came as a surprise to many.

S. Sivanageswara Rao

Tenali

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Andhra Pradesh