Lokesh has also been seen taking an interest in their lifestyle and appearance, and while the conversations may be brief, they appear to carry meaningful messages
Education? There is a Lokesh For That
His hectic schedule notwithstanding, Andhra Pradesh Education Minister N. Lokesh continues to make time to interact with students and their parents, inquiring about their studies, health and overall well-being. Not stopping there, Lokesh has also been seen taking an interest in their lifestyle and appearance, and while the conversations may be brief, they appear to carry meaningful messages. At a recent programme in Mangalagiri, Guntur district, Lokesh spotted a Class VIII student and called him over. He asked about the boy's class, favourite subject and siblings. He even complimented the student's hairstyle and enquired where he got his haircut. The interaction ended on a light-hearted note, with Lokesh asking whether the boy behaved well in class or was one of the noisy students. Later, while interacting with the mothers of some students, Lokesh was told that they appreciated him for developing a park in the area. He immediately suggested that they make use of it by going for morning and evening walks to stay healthy. “Let’s keep a check on sugar, salt and oil,” Lokesh advised, adding that he would return to see how they were following his advice.
Perfect Muhurat, Then a Broken Leg
Film celebrities are known for making certain gestures and adopting distinctive postures not only on screen but also in real life to pep up the spirits of their fans. Nandamuri Balakrishna, the MLA from Hindupur, is no exception. Reportedly a strong believer in astrology, Balakrishna, along with fellow actor Manchu Manoj, was in Kakinada to shoot scenes at the Kakinada Port. With fans surrounding the shooting location, Balakrishna, in an apparent attempt to acknowledge and cheer them, shook his leg in a particular way, much like the signature hand gesture he often performs in his films. Unfortunately, the move proved to be more than his knee could take, resulting in a minor fracture. The shoot was immediately halted, and Balakrishna was rushed to a local hospital before being shifted to Hyderabad for further treatment. Interestingly, the film's muhurat shot had taken place in the new capital, Amaravati. With the star now suffering a fracture, some are wondering whether there was something amiss with the auspicious time chosen to begin work on the film.
It’s All in The Gestures
The Shining Stars programme in Tirupati ended up shining more light on the Telugu Desam’s local politics than on the students it was meant to honour. District in-charge minister Anagani Satya Prasad walked up to greet former Tirupati TD in-charge and chairman of the Greening and Beautification Corporation, Mannuru Sugunamma, with an extended hand. Sugunamma, however, responded with a namaskaram, leaving the minister’s handshake hanging. For a few seconds, protocol met politics — and politics won. The awkward moment sparked fresh speculation over the recent change in the Tirupati TD leadership, with Sugunamma being replaced by J.B. Srinivas. While the party described it as a routine organisational decision, local political circles believe there is more to the story. The buzz in Tirupati is that Sugunamma blames the minister for her replacement, and that this may have been the reason for her reluctance to shake his hand — at least, that is the story doing the rounds.
Contributions from Vadrevu Srinivas, Aruna, Avinash P Subramanyam, Sampat G Samritan, L Venkat Ram Reddy
