Choppers, drones to be deployed at Godavari Pushkarams

[Hindustani78]

Updated: June 28, 2015 08:00 IST
Choppers, drones to be deployed - The Hindu

Efforts are underway to install 458 CC cameras, including 248 equipped with Infrared facility to capture images even during nights
Godavari Pushkarams are all set to witness a plethora of sophisticated devices in play to ensure safety of the visiting devout.

The police department is making arrangements to deploy drones, equipped with modern cameras at important ghats for obtaining live feed of the proceedings. These will be supplemented by Aerostats (aerial balloons fitted with cameras) for which the department is holding negotiations with the providers. Helicopters would be pressed into service for aerial survey of the pilgrim ghats in Rajahmundry and other places in East and West Godavari districts. The department is engaged in leveraging the advantage of social media Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp for an easy two way communication with the visiting pilgrims.

Mobile App

“A mobile App is being developed for the benefit of pilgrims. The department will be communicating about the situation at different ghats including the crowd and traffic issues to pilgrims through these devices,” additional Director General (Law & Order) R.P. Thakur said.

CC cameras

Efforts are underway to install 458 CC cameras, including 248 equipped with Infrared facility to capture images even during nights in addition to opening FM radios to interact with pilgrims and guide them.

A master Command and Control Centre would be opened at Rajahmundry.

 

[Foggy_Bottom]

Curious, all of this for what?

 

[StormShadow]

Curious, all of this for what?

Pushkaram means... congregation of Hindus who worship a river & take a dip to wash away sins. Since it will be a huge event, the administration is taking no chances for any sort of untoward events.

 

[Hindustani78]

Curious, all of this for what?

Godavari pushkaram is a festival of River Godavari which occurs once in 12 years. The pushkaram festival last held in the year 2003. The next festival,Godavari Pushkaram is in 2015. This year Pushkarams is Called Maha kumbhamela. maha kumbhamela occurs once in 144 years.The first 12 days of Godavari pushkaram is called Aadhi pushkaram and the last 12 days of Godavari pushkaram is called Anthya pushkaram. These 24 days are very pious to devotees,as pushkaradu travels during these days.

Godavari originates at Triumbakam, Nasik district of Maharastra State and flows through southern state of Andhra Pradesh and reaches the Bay of Bengal. Government make arrangements for piligrims during pushkarams.In the year 2003 above two crores pilgrims have attended the festival in Rajahmundry. Since INDIA has the people of different languages with different cultures and traditions, Pushkaram make all the people gather at one place,shows the unity in diversity. Godavari is also having other name called Gowthami.

Godavari is the second longest river ( 1465 kms) in India and flows into the Bay of Bengal via the states of Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It has one of the largest river basins in India. Godavari originates in Triambakeshwar and flows through Nashik, Kopargaon, Puntamba, Paithan, Gangakhed, Nanded and Sironcha in Maharashtra state. Godavari flows through Basara, Nirmal, Tadpakal, Battapur, Goodem gutta, Dharmapuri, Kaleshwaram, Manthani, Mancherial, Adilabad, Godavarikhani, Eturunagaram, Bhadrachalam and Mahadevpur in Telangana State. In Andhra Pradesh, Godavari River flows through Rajahmundry, Kovvur, Dhavaleswaram, Ravulapalem, Kotipalli, Tallapudi, Narsapur and Antarvedi before joining the sea at Bay of Bengal.

 

[Foggy_Bottom]

Pushkaram means... congregation of Hindus who worship a river & take a dip to wash away sins. Since it will be a huge event, the administration is taking no chances for any sort of untoward events.

Wait a minute, in Hindu majority India, Ramadan is peaceful and carefree- but Hindu festivities are under security risk of being attacked by muslims?

You know what would be symbolic- if muslims came out and said "we will stand with hindus, and be a part of providing you security".

 

[Hindustani78]

In 2010 , the Coastal Security Group conducted field test of “aero stat”, a balloon fitted with powerful cameras.
The helium-filled balloon could be floated in the sky at a distance of 500 feet to 1000 feet. It could be operated through a boat. The policemen could get live pictures of objects. They could view the objects in a close angle too.

The equipment manufactured by a Bangalore-based company was demonstrated in different areas, including a few islands of Gulf of Mannar.



DRDO's Akashdeep aerostat is being put to use for the new airship

 

[StormShadow]

Wait a minute, in Hindu majority India, Ramadan is peaceful and carefree- but Hindu festivities are under security risk of being attacked by muslims?

Unfortunately true. But there are other reasons for deployment like flash floods etc.

 

[Hindustani78]

Wait a minute, in Hindu majority India, Ramadan is peaceful and carefree- but Hindu festivities are under security risk of being attacked by muslims?

You know what would be symbolic- if muslims came out and said "we will stand with hindus, and be a part of providing you security".

In every country security is placed when there are any festivals and India do have the technology to conduct festivals and its mainly about the large numbers of piligrims.

Unfortunately true. But there are other reasons for deployment like flash floods etc.

Aero stat ballon will be helpful in relief efforts during floods.

 

[Echo_419]

Wait a minute, in Hindu majority India, Ramadan is peaceful and carefree- but Hindu festivities are under security risk of being attacked by muslims?

You know what would be symbolic- if muslims came out and said "we will stand with hindus, and be a part of providing you security".

A large security presence is required for many other things too

 

[Abingdonboy]

Wait a minute, in Hindu majority India, Ramadan is peaceful and carefree- but Hindu festivities are under security risk of being attacked by muslims?

You know what would be symbolic- if muslims came out and said "we will stand with hindus, and be a part of providing you security".

Far too simplistic.

In every modern country a gathering of this size and scope would be accompanied by a vast array of measures to ensure the citizens are safe from WHATEVER calamity be it manmade or natural.

I'm sure the Saudi authorities prepare very elaborate security measures for the Hajj despite the fact that only Muslims can be expected I attend the event.

There's no reason to unfairly point the finger at Muslims as being a threat to this gathering, there are a multitude of risks associated with organising an event of this size and Islamic nutjobs is just one of them (maybe not even the most serious threat).


Be assured a heck of a lot of Indians (Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists etc ) will be working hard to provide security for this event, there is no need to say anymore than that.

 

[Hindustani78]

Updated: June 29, 2015 05:42 IST
Statues along the banks of Godavari set to get a makeover - The Hindu

The karakatta idols of Rama and Sita are a special attraction for tourists at Bhadrachalam in Khammam district.- PHOTO: G.N. RAO

The imposing statues depicting episodes of the epic Ramayana, dotting the karakatta (flood bank) along the Godavari river in Bhadrachalam, are finally being refurbished.

With the Godavari Pushkarams scheduled to be held from July 14 to July 25, work on sprucing up the areas surrounding the flood bank have gained pace.

Around 17 statues were installed along the flood bank prior to the Godavari Pushkarams held in 2003 in the temple town, sources said.

Spiritual bliss

The statues portray the visual splendour of the unique artworks of renowned artist, Bapu, on the Ramayana theme.

The statues are the cynosure of all eyes, abutting the flood bank frequented by devotees, who come in pursuit of spiritual bliss.

Discoloured

However, several statues made of fibre and other material got discoloured due to lack of proper maintenance.

One of the statues with a broken hand remained unrepaired due to the paucity of funds for the past few years.

With the mega river festival fast approaching, the departments concerned turned their attention to refurbishing the statues ahead of the once-in-12-years event slated for next month.

All the 17 statues along the flood bank are being given a fresh coat of paint, said V. Ravinder, Deputy Executive Engineer, Endowments Department, Bhadrachalam.

Minor repair works are being carried out to refurbish the statues well ahead of the Godavari Pushkarams, he said, adding that the precincts of the flood bank were being beautified to provide a memorable experience to pilgrims.

 

[Hindustani78]

Huge cache of Maoist dump seized in AP; 4 held | Zee News
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - 13:59

Rajahmundry: A huge cache of detonators and gelatin sticks were today seized and four persons arrested in this connection in East Godavari district, police said.

The dump found at the Maredumilli bus stand comprised 128 gelatin sticks, 118 electric detonators and 28 electric wires, Ramachopdavaram ASP S Fakirappa said.

The four arrested persons are from Chittoor, Maredumilli and Rajahmundry, he said.

"We are interrogating them," he said.

A case has been registered in this connection and an investigation is on, he added.

 

[Hindustani78]

Chopper services to ferry pilgrims - The Hindu
Updated: July 10, 2015 05:44 IST
With the Godavari Pushkarams commencing from July 14, all roads lead to Rajahmundry and everyday thousands of people are expected to arrive in the Cultural Capital of the Andhra Pradesh to take holy bath.

Given the traffic by road and rail, travelling to Rajahmundry can be cumbersome. The Airports Authority of India in association with Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL) is making efforts to operate helicopter sorties from Vijayawada to Rajahmundry and from Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry during the pushkarams season for the convenience of pilgrims.

The Gannavaram airport authorities have already conducted a meeting with PHHL for finalising the modalities. The airport authorities here would be providing assistance in terms of watch tower service for monitoring traffic control, besides some space for establishing a ticket counter on the airport premises.

It generally takes about 25 minutes for flying to Rajahmundry from Gannavaram in a helicopter.

Given the short distance, many sorties can be operated daily both from Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. The PHHL plans to operate six-seater and 10-seater helicopters and authorities would conduct trial runs in a couple of days to check the fuel consumption, maintenance and other aspects to decide the fare per trip.

Presently, PHHL authorities are in talks with the State government to finalise the issues pertaining to setting up of helipads. If the government permits, helipads near the pushkar ghats can be convenient for the pilgrims, failing which the helicopters would have to land at Rajahmundry airport.

Pilgrims will have to again book cabs to reach pushkar ghats from the airport, explained a senior official of Gannavaram airport.

Travelling in a helicopter could make things easy for pilgrims, especially elderly people.

More importantly, this service can be a boon for people arriving from far off places like Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and other cities to participate in the pushkarams, he adds. Officials are likely to announce to the fare details and other aspects in a couple of days.

 

[Hindustani78]

Soan Purohits taking out old cooking vesselsfor washing in view of the ensuing Godavari Pushkaralu, at Soan in Adilabad district.- Photo: S. Harpal Singh

For a while, priests turn cooks - The Hindu
Brahmins of Soan village of Nirmal mandal cook for almost 10,000 devotees, who come to perform ‘pinda pradanam’ during Pushkaralu
For the Brahmin families of Soan village, a vibrant habitation on the banks of river Godavari in Nirmal mandal of Adilabad district, Godavari Pushkaralu will herald a hectic activity. Priests from these families, numbering 100, are preparing not only help devotees with ‘pinda pradanam’ during the religious event, but provide food to thousands of them.

The Soan Brahmins are an example of multi-tasking as they are both priests and cooks. Offering food to the devotees who come from distant places has been their tradition since long time.

Enugula Veeraswamaiah, the 18th century interpreter at Madras High Court, had mentioned about Soan in his travelogue ‘Enugula Veeraswamaiah gari Kashi Yatra Charitra’ first published in 1836. Having reached Doodhgaon village on the banks of Godavari now in Nizamabad district, Veeraswamaiah mentioned Soan as a village on the opposite bank of the river where a Brahmin agraharam exists and where one can get everything, apparently food. “Soan, known as Suvarnapuri in ancient times, becomes an expansive dining hall during Pushkaralu,” observes B. Anand Rao alias Dada Pantulu, one of the most popular priest from the village. “We can feed even 10,000 people at one go,” he boasts, as he exhibits huge old brass cooking vessels, including caldrons which hold over 1,000 litres of ‘sambar’.

It is quite clear that in the absence of hotels or any kind of eateries when Soan began to thrive as a destination for observing shradh, the Brahmin families felt it their duty to feed those coming to the river bank from far away places.

“Yes, we accepted whatever the devotees chose to give us as there was no fixed charge for food or for our services in pinda pradanam ,” states Ausingi Kishan, the priest-cook who forms a team with Dada Pantulu, even as he directs workers in cleaning the old and new cooking vessels. All the members of the Soan Brahmin families who are employed in other places, including foreign countries will soon arrive to participate in the Pushkaralu.

“This huge mandapam is being built by one of our NRI members,” says Anand Rao. The Soan Brahmins, followers of the Madhva stream of philosophy, are also making preparations to receive their Guru Satyatma Teertha Swami, who will spend the next four months (the chaturmasa) in a mutt in the village. About 10,000 devotees are expected to visit Soan everyday during Pushkarams, and most of whom will also visit the Guru.

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
14-July, 2015 15:59 IST
President of India condoles the loss of lives in stampede at Pushkarulu Ghat of Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh

The President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the loss of lives in a stampede at the Pushkarulu Ghat of Godavari River in Rajahmundry District of Andhra Pradesh.

In his message to Shri E.S.L. Narasimhan, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, the President has said “I am saddened to learn about the stampede at the Pushkarulu Ghat of Godavari River in Rajahmundry District of Andhra Pradesh, where a number of devotees have lost their lives and many others are injured. I understand relief and rescue operations are currently underway.

I call upon the State Government and other authorities to provide all possible aid to the bereaved families, who have lost their near and dear ones as well as medical assistance to the injured.

Please convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I wish speedy recovery to the injured persons.”

*****

Prime Minister's Office
14-July, 2015 11:56 IST
PM condoles the loss of lives due to stampede at Rajahmundry; discusses the situation with Andhra Pradesh CM


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives due to stampede at Rajahmundry. The Prime Minister discussed the situation with Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu.

"Deeply pained at the loss of lives due to stampede at Rajahmundry. My condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured

I spoke to CM N. Chandrababu Naidu and discussed the situation with him. The State Government is working to restore normalcy", the Prime Minister said.

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