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Fully entrenched

The City of Destiny has not only captivated its settlers but is all poised to be a great city in their opinion, writes SUMIT BHATTACHARJEE

PHOTO: K.R. DEEPAK

AT HOME The Agarwal's believe `this is where they belong'

What are the questions that would come to one's mind before choosing a city to settle down? How good are the education and health facilities? How peaceful it is? Are the basic amenities available? And how good are the natives? And so on...

This budding metropolis scores at least 9 out of a 10-point rating. And the rating is observed by people who have left their ancestral homes in various States to make this city their home.

Lancelot Gomes who retired as commodore in the Indian Navy moved to this city from Mumbai in 1993. Gomes who worked in various capacities including as the defence attaché to Pakistan feels that Vizag is one among the most beautiful cities in the world. "I have seen the world and some of its best places but nothing to beat the sea view from the balcony of my apartment.

This city has the rare combination of the sea, sand and the hills. And most importantly are its people. They are warm and hospitable," says he.

B. K. Agarwal who came to Visakhapatnam two decades ago from Bolangir in Orissa to expand their family business, fell in love with this city within the first few days itself. "There was a choice between Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Raipur and this city and today I have no regrets in choosing the City of Destiny. It was an experimental venture in the beginning but as the days passed I realised the beauty of this city.

It has got good education facilities, health sector is on par with the best in the country and as far as law and order is concerned, which is a major concern in other states, this is top class. And most importantly the living standard is moderate and comfortable despite being an upcoming city," opines Mr. Agarwal.

He had come as a businessman but later turned to be an ace photographer and through the lens he points out that `Visakhaptnam is a photogenic city'.

"This city is a paradise for fashion photographers. Within a radius of 100 km. you have the sea, sand, mountains, rivers, jungle and rural settings. It is a rare combination and only a few cities in the world are blessed with this combo. Visakhapatnam has got all the pictorial value that a photographer looks for," says he.

Peaceful city

When it comes to the peacefulness both Mr. Agarwal and Lt. Cdr. P.S. Anand are of the same opinion. "If one cannot settle here, he or she cannot settle any part of the world.

It is a cultured city inhabited by gentlemen. There is very less animosity among the people and that makes the city peaceful by and large.

Most of the people are occupied and there is hardly any time to indulge in nefarious activities," says Lt. Cdr. Anand.

Being an ex-serviceman and one who has seen the world from a different perspective feels that India is the best country in the world and Visakhapatnam is the best city in India. "It has tremendous potential and it will grow to outbeat cities like Hyderabad and Bangalore in a few years from now. Once the expanded airport opens up nothing can stop the City of Destiny to rise to the top rungs.

It is already well-connected by rail and the road, it has got the biggest industries in the form of a major port and an integrated steel plant, has its prominence felt as being the headquarters of Eastern Naval Command and now it is poised to be the IT hub with companies like HSBC, Wipro and Satyam setting up shop," says the Sardar.

City of settlers

Mayank Devi who hails from Rajasthan and is married to the royal Deo family of Jeypore in Orissa is of the opinion that Visakhapatnam is a city of settlers. "Our family moved to this place a couple of decades ago, initially for its pristine beauty.

But today it's one among the best as far as facilities are concerned. It has got everything; a university, good colleges, corporate hospitals, shopping facilities and now it is becoming a job-hunters paradise.

The city not only captivates you but everything that is required for a decent living is available within hands reach without much trouble. In short it is a budding metropolis sans the hassles and problems of a metropolitan," says Mayank.

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