Vijayawada, Sept 22, 2025: Former Vice President of India, Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu, emphasized Vijayawada’s growing importance as a cultural and historic hub, noting its deep connection with the new capital region Amaravati and Guntur. Speaking at the Vijayawada Utsav under the theme “One City – One Celebration,” he highlighted the city’s evolution from an ancient trade and cultural capital to a modern urban center.

Naidu recalled his tenure as Union Minister when he pushed for Amaravati, Vijayawada, and Guntur’s integrated development, including Smart City projects, AIIMS at Mangalagiri, an international airport at Vijayawada, and institutions like the School of Planning and Architecture and the National Institute of Plastic Engineering. These initiatives, he noted, strengthened the capital region’s global standing.

Tracing Vijayawada’s legacy, Naidu praised its contribution to Telugu literature, journalism, and freedom struggle, mentioning landmarks like Rammohan and Hanumantharaya Libraries, historic inscriptions, and visits by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi. He highlighted the cultural vibrancy of the city through platforms like Keshetrayya Kalakshetram, which has nurtured thousands of artists over decades. He also spoke about the spiritual significance of the Kanaka Durga temple, attracting lakhs of devotees annually during Dasara.

Naidu urged that Vijayawada Utsav should not only showcase the city’s glory but also serve as a platform to revive and promote Telugu language and culture. He called for preserving traditional art, dialect, attire, and heritage while passing on the city’s rich legacy to future generations. The festival, coinciding with Dasara celebrations, he said, will further spotlight Vijayawada on the world stage as a city of history, devotion, and culture.