Misconceptions About the Godavari Districts Must Be Cleared: Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan!

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan stirred the audience by speaking in the Godavari dialect during the Sankranti celebrations at Pithapuram, drawing loud applause. He remarked that many people associate the Godavari districts only with cockfights and gambling, but cautioned that restricting a great festival like Sankranti to such activities sends a wrong message to society. Pawan Kalyan said Sankranti represents culture, tradition, and family bonding, and urged people to move away from practices that overshadow the true spirit of the festival.

Earlier, the Deputy CM inaugurated the three-day festivities and was given a grand welcome by Kuchipudi dancers. He witnessed traditional performances such as Garaga dances, Kolatams, tribal Thimsa dance, and Puliveshalu, even joining the dancers briefly. Pawan Kalyan also distributed food to Haridasus, blessed children by performing Bhogi rituals, and wore a handloom jacket woven in Pulagurtha. Later, during an inspection of local colonies along with Municipal Minister Narayana, he expressed strong displeasure over poor sanitation in Indiranagar and questioned officials sharply, directing them to resolve the issue by Shivaratri.