Lepakshi: Actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna was in his elements on Saturday, drawing applause from one and all, including Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, who hailed him as a man on a mission to develop the town of Lepakshi. Lauding Mr Balakrishna’s efforts to ensure the Lepakshi Ustavalu was a grand success, Mr Rao said that he was amazed at the actor-politician’s determination to put Lepakshi on the international tourist map.
Earlier, Mr Balakrishna had formally inaugurated the cultural programmes depicting ancient and historic events and the arts competitions and exhibition at Gurukula Patasala. He had joined with the artistes displaying rural arts, confident that the utsavalu would take the arts and culture of Lepakshi across the globe. “I’ve participated in many inaugurations and film festivals, but I had never felt such satisfaction as from taking part in Lepakshi celebrations,” he said.
He appreciated the government for allocating funds for the grand event though it was in financial crisis. Reminding that he had come under severe criticism from several quarters when he decided to contest the elections, Mr Balakrishna said, “My efforts are the answer to their criticism.” Later, a shoba yatra was taken from the Nandi statue towards the venue of the festival, the high school grounds of Lepakshi. Nearly 1,000 artistes from across the state participated in the yatra.
