The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Focus on history of Krishna dist.

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Saturday, Mar 22, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Focus on history of Krishna dist.

G.V.R. Subba Rao

Two-day national seminar on the subject gets under way

Rain plays spoilsport
Over 100 historians, scholars to present papers

— Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

VIP VISIT: Sara M. Cohen, Head of the Press and Cultural Affairs Department of the Embassy of the Netherlands in New Delhi (third from left), goes around the Dutch Fort at Machilipatnam on Friday.

MACHILIPATNAM: The Dutch, being the traders of the world, had recognised the importance of being at the centre of trade rather than relying on outsourcing as is fashionable today, said Sara M. Cohen, Head of the Press and Cultural Affairs Department of the Embassy of the Netherlands in New Delhi, on Friday.

She was addressing a two-day national seminar on ‘Comprehensive History of Krishna District’, which began here on Friday. More than 100 historians and scholars would present their papers on various topics pertaining to the history of Krishna district at the seminar, which is being organised jointly by the Hyderabad Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Krishna District Writers’ Association.

The rain that lashed the district played spoilsport with the seminar too, as the elaborate arrangements made at an open place adjacent to the Bandar Fort went haywire.

The tent and the dais erected for the proceedings collapsed due to heavy wind and downpour.

The venue was hurriedly shifted to the Zilla Parishad meeting hall, and the inaugural session began two hours behind schedule.

Photo expo

Ms. Cohen, who also inaugurated a photo exhibition on Dutch cemeteries and monuments at Bandar Fort, said that the port had played a key role for a long period in the commerce and trade of the region.

“I’m sure the Andhra Pradesh Government will once again revive and redevelop the port facilities here. And you are most welcome to access the expertise available in the Netherlands to expand the port facilities,” she said, hoping that re-development of the port could revive the trade and commerce with the Netherlands.

Pointing out that the monuments and cemeteries of the Dutch were being well maintained in the country, Ms. Cohen said it would be interesting to be part of any activity that would help protect the shared cultural heritage of the two countries.

Animal Husbandry Minister Mandali Buddha Prasad said that the government was committed to developing a modern port here, as infrastructure plays a key role in the growth of cities. Machilipatnam would surpass Vijayawada in all aspects once the port was developed, he hoped.

Krishna district Collector Shailaja Ramaiyer, Joint Secretary for Irrigation Navin Mittal, who evinced interest during his tenure as Krishna district Collector to organise the seminar, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)’s Hyderabad Circle Superintending Archaeologist D. Jithendra Das, Archaeologists Kanna Babu and Ch. Babji Rao, Krishna District Writers’ Association general secretary G. V. Poornachand, president Guttikonda Subba Rao and others spoke.

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