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New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Telangana achieves 95 per cent of Vana Mahotsavam target
HYDERABAD: The state government's ambitious plantation drive, Vana Mahotsavam, has already achieved 95.07% of its plantation and sapling distribution target, for the year 2024–25. According to the latest government data, accessed by , as of July 2, 2025, over 19.03 lakh saplings had either been planted or distributed across the state against a target of 20.02 lakh. The report, compiled department and district wise, reveals that while many government wings have surpassed their targets, several have significantly underperformed. While the planting numbers are encouraging, environmentalists warn that quantity alone does not ensure ecological impact. 'The state needs to pay equal attention to the survival of saplings,' said a conservationist, adding that watering, fencing, and follow-up care are often overlooked after planting drives. With over 1 lakh saplings still short of the target and several departments yet to catch up, officials say mid-year reviews will focus on ground verification and sustainability tracking. Departments lagging behind are expected to intensify efforts in the monsoon months, when conditions for planting are most favourable, they added. Top Performers (Above 100%) Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture – 119.11% Women, Children, Disabled & Senior Citizens – 110.06% PR&RD – 109.91% (7 lakh saplings) GHMC – 100%+ (50,835 saplings) Moderate Performers (70–99%) HMDA – 89.07% (6.67 lakh saplings) Education – 80.75% Industries & Commerce – 72.42% Low Performers (<50%)
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh government transfers Ambedkar Park to cultural department for revenue enchancement
Vijayawada: Envisaging the promotion of art, culture, and heritage through regular cultural programmes, the state government has ordered the transfer of the Dr B R Ambedkar Smriti Vanam Park, located at Swaraj Maidan in the heart of Vijayawada city, from the Social Welfare Department to the Director of Cultural Affairs under the administrative control of the Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture department. The transfer of the Rs 404-crore Dr B R Ambedkar Smriti Vanam Park project from the Welfare department is expected to boost the park's development. The government is determined to complete the pending Phase-II development works and utilize the park to its fullest potential, thereby attracting more visitors in the coming days. The previous YSRCP government undertook the construction of Dr B.R. Ambedkar Smriti Vanam Park at Swaraj Maidan in two phases and completed Phase I of the project — installation of the 125-foot Ambedkar statue, including park development and other works, costing Rs 297.71 crore, which was Rs 29.25 crore more than the initial estimate. Subsequently, the previous government granted administrative sanction for Rs 106.64 crore worth of Phase II works, including the development of a state-of-the-art convention centre, food courts, and other amenities. Progress on these works has been moving at a snail's pace due to unpaid bills to the contractor. As a result, construction of the convention centre, food court, and other leisure amenities came to a grinding halt at the Smriti Vanam premises, while the statue works were completed and opened to visitors. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo by Taboola by Taboola Given the limited revenue generated through entry ticket sales, the government has been finding it increasingly difficult to maintain operations such as paying salaries to staff working at the Smriti Vanam Park. Hence, the government aims to complete the pending works of the convention centre and food courts and generate additional revenue by leasing them to private entities to enhance the park's income. "The previous government, in a hasty manner, installed the 125-foot Ambedkar statue but failed to complete other works such as the convention centre, food courts, and a lift to the top of the statue. As a result, visitor turnout remained low. If these pending works had been completed on time, the revenue would have been much higher, making the park financially self-reliant," a senior NTR district administration official told TOI.
Hans India
28-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Naidu unveils vision to turn AP into global tourism hub
Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Friday unveiled an ambitious vision to position Andhra Pradesh as a global destination of tourism, emphasising its role as an engine for economic growth, employment generation, and cultural promotion. Addressing industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at a tourism conclave here, the Chief Minister said his goal is to make Andhra Pradesh a wealthy, healthy, and happy state. "Andhra Pradesh will be the future destination for wellness and happiness. My goal is a wealthy, healthy, happy Andhra Pradesh - that is the goal I have set," he said. He extended a special invitation to Baba Ramdev, who attended the conclave as the special guest, to serve as a spiritual guide and advisor, urging him to actively promote wellness tourism in the state. Observing that one in every ten jobs created globally comes from the tourism sector, Naidu said it generates eight jobs for every Rs 1 lakh invested, more than sectors like IT, manufacturing, and agriculture. Naidu outlined plans to grow the sector's employment share from 12 per cent to 15 per cent and increase its contribution to the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from Rs 74,000 crore to Rs 2.4 lakh crore by 2029. From the 19,500 hotel rooms currently available in the state, Naidu said the target is to scale up to 50,000 rooms in the next four years. Naidu also spoke about the inclusive Homestay Policy, which aims at establishing over 10,000 homestays across tribal, rural, coastal, and heritage regions. The government is actively developing seven tourism anchor hubs: Visakhapatnam, Araku, Rajahmundry, Amaravati, Srisailam, Gandikota, and Tirupati. Additionally, over 25 thematic circuits are planned, including 10 temple circuits, five coastal routes, four river routes, two cruises, two Buddhist circuits, and three eco-tourism trails, he added. Dispelling the notion that tourism investment is exclusive to the wealthy, the Chief Minister presented the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2024–29 as a 'game changer'. Tourism has now been granted industry status across all segments, he pointed out. Ajay Jain, Special Chief Secretary, Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture Department, also spoke. Amrapali Kata, Managing Director, AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), unveiled a tourism growth dashboard for real-time performance monitoring. On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched Andhra Pradesh's Tourism Digital Calendar, along with a new brochure, strategy paper, and the annual tourism event schedule. APTDC also signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 10,329 crore in the Chief Minister's presence. Naidu also officially flagged off the state's Caravan Tourism initiative. This new programme offers modern, mobile travel solutions for families and groups, designed to boost tourism in lesser-known destinations, create employment opportunities, and support sustainable regional development.
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Had to sit like performing monkeys: Miss England stirs row after exit; calls Miss World 'high-end cattle fair'
HYDERABAD: Till Saturday, the 72nd edition of Miss World was progressing as planned: A polite parade of poise, sequins and diplomatic smiles. Then came an unscheduled firework display by none other than Miss England 2024, Milla Maggie. Having left the competition on May 16, allegedly due to 'personal reasons', Maggie re-emerged in tabloid The Sun with claims that make Bridgerton look like a documentary. 'I went there to make a difference, but we had to sit like performing monkeys,' The Sun quoted her as saying, suggesting the Miss World experience was less about world peace and more about looking glamorous. Maggie, 24, didn't stop there. In tones more suited to exposés than tiaras, she claimed the whole affair resembled a sort of high-end cattle fair, where women were 'paraded to impress wealthy individuals' and she was made to feel 'like a prostitute being farmed out for entertainment.' Understandably, this did not go down too well in Hyderabad which is hosting the pageant. The state government was swift in its response. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary for Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture, said, 'This is just an exaggerated situation.' The Miss World Organisation (MWO) said Maggie cited health reasons for her departure. Meanwhile, the show goes on. England has now dispatched a replacement contestant, Charlotte Cox, to Hyderabad. Julia Morley, chairperson and CEO of MWO, attempted to close the chapter with a terse message: 'We responded to Maggie's departure with compassion.'
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'Went to make a difference, but had to sit like a performing monkey,' says Miss World contestant on quitting race
HYDERABAD: As excitement and anticipation swept across Telangana for the 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant, controversy unexpectedly cast a shadow over the event. The turmoil began when Miss England 2024, Milla Magee, who had exited the competition citing personal reasons on May 16, made explosive allegations in an interview with British tabloid The Sun. The 24-year-old initially claimed her withdrawal from the 72nd Miss World pageant was due to personal circumstances. However, in her recent interview, Magee offered a starkly different explanation, stating, 'I went there to make a difference, but we had to sit like performing monkeys.' She went on to allege that contestants were instructed to wear heavy makeup and evening gowns from morning until night—even during breakfast—and were paraded at events to impress wealthy individuals. She shockingly claimed the experience made her feel 'like a prostitute being farmed out for entertainment.' The comments sparked immediate backlash from both the pageant organisers and the Telangana state government. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of Telangana's Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture Department, responded by saying, 'We will be conducting a meeting regarding this on May 25. This is just an exaggerated situation.'
