Vice President CP Radhakrishnan Begins First State Visit with Prayers at Kanak Durga Temple; Graces Vijayawada Utsav 2025

Vice President of India Shri CP Radhakrishnan commenced his maiden state visit to Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday with prayers at the revered Kanak Durga Temple. Later in the day, he attended the Vijayawada Utsav 2025 at Punnamy Ghat as the Chief Guest, celebrating the city’s cultural vibrancy and development during the auspicious Navratri festival.

The Vice President was warmly received at Vijayawada airport by Governor S. Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and accorded a Guard of Honour on his arrival.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Radhakrishnan described Vijayawada Utsav as one of the largest cultural festivals in the world, praising its role in linking generations and showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s rich heritage. Quoting Saint Bharathiyar, he stressed unity in diversity, noting that while India speaks many languages, its dharma and thought remain one.

Speaking on Navratri, he highlighted its unique celebration of women, observing, “Navratri is the only festival celebrated continuously for nine days and dedicated solely to goddesses—not gods. This reflects the importance our culture places on women.” He also emphasised compassion and service, adding that feeding the poor is the truest form of worship.

The Vice President lauded Andhra Pradesh’s progress in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and technology. He credited the state’s farmers for “feeding the nation” and hailed Andhra Pradesh’s emergence as a hub of IT and biotechnology, with one of the highest growth rates in the country.

Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, Shri Radhakrishnan said it was a privilege to begin his first yatra outside Delhi in Vijayawada, calling the festival a matter of pride for the Telugu community worldwide.

The event was also attended by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, and MP Kesineni Sivanath.