Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan kicked off his first official trip as India’s Vice President with a vibrant visit to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. On Wednesday, he and his wife, R. Sumathi, started the day by offering prayers at the iconic Kanaka Durga Devi temple on Indrakeeladri hill, drawing crowds excited to see the new leader.
From there, Radhakrishnan joined the lively Vijayawada Utsav at Punnami Ghat, a major festival blending cultural shows, music, and literary events as part of the Dussehra celebrations. Speaking to the gathering, he shared his thrill at being in Vijayawada for his debut outing from Delhi. “I’ll never forget this visit,” he said, beaming with enthusiasm.
He hailed Andhra Pradesh as the country’s “Annapurna”—a nod to the goddess of nourishment—and pointed out how the state is surging forward in every field. Radhakrishnan expressed strong faith that a developed “Viksit Andhra Pradesh” is just around the corner. He also spotlighted the big role Andhra entrepreneurs play in powering the U.S. economy.
The Vice President couldn’t stop praising Telugu culture and traditions, calling the Vijayawada Utsav a bridge that connects people and fosters unity and harmony in society. He hoped Vijayawada would soon rank among India’s most amazing cities.
During his talk, Radhakrishnan touched on Navaratri, the nine-day festival honoring the goddess. Unlike shorter celebrations, he noted, “We worship her for nine full days—this truly shows how women hold greater importance than men.”
After his speech, Radhakrishnan strolled through the festival stalls and enjoyed performances by local artists. The event buzzed with energy, featuring over 3,000 artists across 250 shows.
Joining him were key figures like Union Minister for Tourism and Health Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, State Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, State Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath. The MP described Vijayawada Utsav—one of the world’s largest carnivals—as a joint effort by the Society for Vibrant Vijayawada and the Andhra Pradesh government.
Shekhawat called Indian festivals “living libraries” of the nation’s core values. He highlighted how the Utsav seamlessly mixes culture with commerce, proving they can thrive together.
Earlier that day, Andhra Pradesh Governor Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and his wife N. Bhuvaneswari greeted the Vice President and his wife at Gannavaram Airport. Other dignitaries, including Human Resources Development and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, Labour Minister V. Subhash, Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand, MPs, MLAs, and top officials, joined the warm welcome.
After a guard of honor from the police, Radhakrishnan traveled by road to Vijayawada. Wrapping up the Utsav, he headed to Tirupati for darshan at the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
