Bheemli utsav witnesses a flurry of activities: Minister M Srinivasa Rao

Visakhapatnam: The historically significant Bheemunipatnam wore a festive look as several events marked the ongoing 'Bheemli Utsav' here on Sunday. Tourism Minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao flagged off a carnival which started from the yoga Kendra in the constituency.

The carnival saw artistes donning several avatars, including Goddess, tiger, among others. Playing percussions and drums, the artistes along with the participants proceeded through the town.

Students from various colleges took part in the carnival and sang songs throughout the procession. At the main venue, Endowments Minister Vellampalli Srinivasa Rao inaugurated a replica of various temples in the state.

Later, he announced that such festivals will augur well for the development of tourism in the state. "Visakhapatnam has a great scope for development in the tourism sector," he said, adding that a person like Avanthi Srinvasa Rao holding the tourism portfolio will give a boost to the tourism sector.

After inaugurating the boat race and kick boxing competitions held as a part of the utsav, Tourism Minister announced that Bheemli Utsav will be celebrated on a grand scale every year. Later, a meeting was conducted at Tagarapuvalasa where the Official Language Commission Chairman Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad said the festival will help people unravel the local history of the region.

Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Botcha Satyanarayana, Principal Secretary of Tourism K Praveen Kumar, Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) chairperson R K Roja, Visakhapatnam MP M V V Satyanarayana, VMRDA Chairman Dronamraju Srinvasa Rao, District Collector V Vinay Chand, GVMC Commissioner G Srijana, among others were present.