The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : ‘Home sentiment’

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Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

‘Home sentiment’

The successful run of CNG buses in the city is now an experience that both the APSRTC and Ashok Leyland are proudly talking about everywhere. But, not many know that there is a special reason for Ashok Leyland to choose Vijayawada as the place for operating CNG buses in Andhra Pradesh. Besides the known reason of availability of CNG at a cheaper price in Vijayawada, some ‘home sentiment’ too appears to have played a role in the company’s decision. Ashok Leyland Chief Operating Officer Vinod K. Dasari hails from Enikepadu near the city and spent his childhood days in the city, as he himself disclosed the other day at a function in Vidyadharapuram depot. “To some extent, it was my selfishness that prompted me to pitch for Vijayawada for testing CNG-run buses,” he said in a lighter vein. Mr. Dasari has since then been making regular visits to the city to ensure that the buses deliver the best possible performance.

Winners’ smile

Congress activists enjoyed themselves with a child-like glee after the UPA government won the ‘confidence’ vote in the Lok Sabha with 19 votes. Andhra Ratna Bhavan, the city Congress office, was converted into a video parlour to enable the activists to see the proceedings of the session live on a huge screen. Party workers stayed glued to the television as if they were watching a crucial cricket match between India and Pakistan. Once the result was announced, the activists shouted “Narakasura has been killed, let’s celebrate.” They came on to the streets to burst crackers. Minister for Animal Husbandry Mandali Buddha Prasad was so happy that he joined the activists in bursting crackers in front of Andhra Ratna Bhavan. “The Congress has its Kargil now,” said a Left party leader, who was witness to the merriment of the activists.

Rain God had other plans

It is not in the hands of human beings to organise the kalyanam of Lord Venkateswara. “He knows when and where He should get married” was the general comment from the believers at the TTD Kalyana Mandapam in Guntur while they waited impatiently for the rain to stop so that the ceremonial procession could be taken out. Lakhs of rupees were as spent on arrangements for Srinivasa Kalyanam at the Police Parade Grounds here, but Rain God stalled everything and the programme was put off to August 9.

Devotees and those who had put in money to organise this were disappointed.

Minister for Transport Kanna Lakshmi Narayana, however, observed this incident amply justifies the belief: Man proposes, but God disposes.

K. Srimali and G.V. Ramana Rao in Vijayawada and Ramesh Susarla in Guntur

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