Araku Utsav – ‘Chali’ begins on a grand note

The three-day Araku Utsav – ‘Chali’ festival kicked off to a grand start at Araku Valley in Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Thursday. The festival is organised alongside the ongoing Visakha Utsav.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu who was scheduled to inaugurate the festival could not make it. In his place, Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, and Minister for Tribal Welfare, Gummadi Sandhya Rani stepped in. The Ministers laid foundation stones for several development projects, including a tent city at Lambasingi and homestay facilities at Maredumilli. They also felicitated local tribal artistes. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan will attend the festival on Friday (January 30).

Speaking at the inauguration, the Tourism Minister said that organising such festivals helps preserve the local culture and paves the way for regional development. He further stated that the coalition government has a long-term vision of providing tourism-based employment to at least one person in every family over the next 10 years.

Expressing his love for Araku, the Minister said that the region is blessed with scenic beauty, valleys, cool climate, lush greenery and refreshing air, which provides a soothing experience to visitors. Tourists who spend a single day in Araku leave with a sense of complete joy.