Hyderabad: The decision of the government of Andhra Pradesh to name its capital city as Amaravati has focused attention on the ancient city, bringing a wave of nostalgia and hope after the bifurcation of the undivided state last year.
The measure also revive unity among Andhras, feel observers.
Amaravati, which means the city that lives forever, was the seat of power of the Satavahana rulers and the name has been chosen in view of their historical, spiritual and mythological importance, says Chandrababu Naidu Chief Minister N.
A state cabinet meeting chaired by him last week passed a resolution in this regard. Stressing the glorious past of Amaravati, Advisor (Communications) to Andhra Pradesh government Parakala Prabhakar said the government wants to build a futuristic city.
“With the capital being named Amaravati, we look back at our glorious past and move on. Post-bifurcation, this remains hopeful for the future and promoting unity among Andhras” he told PTI.
Tracing the history of Amaravati, M Somasekhara Rao, a retired professor of history at Hindu College in Guntur, said: “It is very appropriate to name the new capital as Amaravati in view of its importance it is a good decision was rekindled.. Andhras unit, “he said, adding that the name of the city can have an echo in the countries of Southeast Asia, where Buddhism is prevalent.
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The state government has “collected” about 33,000 hectares of land from farmers and other landowners in the Vijayawada-Guntur region to raise the modern city of international standards, although a “capital of the people” which is suitable for poor too.
Amaravati had seen three religions – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism flourishing in the region, Rao, former Secretary General of Andhra Pradesh History Congress, said.
The name may have come from Amaravati ‘Aramavati’ (house of ‘Aramas’ or monasteries) said.
Although the appointment of the city as Amaravati has largely been welcomed, the mammoth task of developing capital stares at the TDP government led by Naidu as the state is now facing a fiscal deficit of 17,500 crore rupees after lose the jewel in the crown of Hyderabad Telangana bifurcation.
Naidu, who was once the poster boy of IT and reforms in the country, has big dreams for the development of the new capital as a world class city.
The Singapore government is preparing the master plan for the capital charge. The plan has three components capital region generally to the capital and seed capital, Naidu said.
