There are several indigo factories in the Amalapuram taluk, of which seven employ 30 men or more in the season. Those at Velanakapalli and Ayinavalli employ 75 and 150 hands respectively, according to Godavari District Gazetteer written by F.R. Hemingway. In Neelapalli in Yanam town, locals worked in the indigo units and the remains of the indigo factories have disappeared in recent years as claimed by the residents of Yanam.

Decorated life of J.V. Somayajulu

Jonnalagadda Venkata Somayajulu (1928-2004), known as Sankarabharanam Sankara Sastry, is a Deputy Collector turned actor, who acted in movies in Telugu, Hindu, Tamil and Malayalam languages. He was born in Lukalam village in Srikakulam district. In 1981, he received the Filmfare Award in the best actor category for his acting in Sankarabharanam, directed by K.Viswanath. He had served as Deputy Collector in Mahabub Nagar in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. He died of cardiac arrest in Hyderabad.

How Rajahmundry municipality evolved

The Rajahmundry municipality was founded in 1866, with a council of ten members, which rose to 18 in 1895. The right of electing some of the members was given in 1884. A paid secretary was also first allowed in 1897-98. The civic body was upgraded in corporation in 1994. The first Chief Minister of the State of Andhra Pradesh, Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, served as the Chairman of the Municipality in 1903. The current population of the corporation is 4.10 lakh population and 10 Gram Panchayat have been proposed to be merged with the civic body.

Institute named after freedom fighter

The current building of the Government Institute of Advanced Study in Education, which was named after freedom fighter Sri Garimella Satyanarayana (1893-1952), was constructed in 1900 in Rajamahendravaram city. The journey of the institution began in 1883 when foundation stone was laid for teacher education in the city. A year later, it was designated as Government Training College for advanced teacher education in the Godavari region. In 1959, it was elevated as Government Institute of Advanced Study in Education (GIASE) upon the recommendations of the Kothari Commission, training both pre-service and in-service teachers. The building is declared as a heritage site in Rajamahendravaram city.

Aircraft museum unveiled in Kakinada beach

In February 2024, an aircraft museum was inaugurated on the Kakinada beach, allowing the visitors to catch a glimpse of the Indian Navy’s decommissioned aircraft TU-142M. This aircraft has served for three decades in the Indian Navy. Developed by the Kakinada Urban Development Authority (KUDA) with ₹5.89 crore, this is the second aircraft museum in the Andhra Pradesh. The visitors are briefed about the services and operations of the TU-142M aircraft inside the museum. 

Contributed by hareesh.p@thehindu.co.in