Ukkunagaram: Where ‘mini India’ lives in harmony
VISAKHAPATNAM: At a time when provincial, cultural, caste and communal issues are getting highly politicized in the country, here's one place in Vizag where 'mini India' resides in perfect harmony. The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Township (VSPT), located 30 kilometres from the Port City on around 8,000 acres, that houses employees and their families from almost every Indian state is the epitome of unity in diversity.
What's more, the steel township has places of worship belonging to different religious faiths, while it also has a temple marg where temples dedicated to different deities worshipped in various states are placed side by side. Such is the social and cultural integration here that dosas are a preferred breakfast item over puris in most North Indian households while paneer and samosas have become part of the South Indian menu.
"People are extremely respectful and tolerant towards one another's religion and take part in each and every festival that is celebrated at the community welfare centres -- be it Baisakhi, Eid, Ugadi, Christmas or Diwali," said Lata Choudhary, first lady of VSP and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd-VSP chairman and managing director A P Choudhary's wife, adding that cultural programmes conducted at Gurajada Kalakshetram also offer VSPites of all ages a chance to showcase their talent.
There's something about Ukkunagaram that makes people from every corner of the country feel completely at home, any VSPite will tell you. "This plurality is the biggest strength of the township and lends it a unique colour. You keep bumping into familiar faces and one fine day smile at each other and become friends," pointed out Bangalorean Vani Deshikachar, who manages Arunodaya school.
The extremely well-planned township, which is called Ukkunagaram, has 8,200 dwelling units in 13 sectors spread across 3,900 acres. It also has a 4,260-acre green belt that provides residents the opportunity to wake up to the twitter of birds and enjoy walking or cycling down the canopied tracks. It also has two clubs, Steel Club and Ukku Club, indoor and outdoor stadiums for various sports activities, swimming pools, gyms as well as an auditorium, where movies are screened twice a week.
Terming the township as a self-contained city, R P Srivastava, general manager, town administration, VSP, said, "We have a 150-bed specialty hospital, ayurvedic health centre, two tri-weekly vegetable markets, libraries, parlours, multi-cuisine restaurants, horticulture nurseries, branches of popular banks, petrol bunks, police station, post-office, you name it and we have it. Only with the mall and multiplex-culture in vogue, people go to the city once a week or fortnight."
Highlighting the safety aspect, Srivastava pointed out, "Even when employees travel frequently leaving behind their families, they do so without any worry as the neighbours are always at hand to help. It's also an ideal place for kids to grow up as we have 11 parks, an excellent skating rink, 16 schools and stadiums."
To make their otherwise placid life fun-filled, VSPT residents keep busy in various activities and at times punctuate the routine with picnics, trips or even chill out sessions at the city's malls, multiplexes and beach. While after work the men go clubbing or walking with friends in the picturesque campus, some meet up in the shopping arcades located in the heart of each of the 13 sectors.
"Life for us is extremely cushy and completely taken care of by VSP. We get everything one requires for day-to-day life and don't have to step out. We don't ever face power cuts or water problems," said Choudhury, describing the superior quality of life on the campus.
And for the women of Ukkunagaram, life is not just about managing their homes or kitty parties. Social service being integral to the township's culture, they also shoulder various social responsibilities as members of the 'Steel Mahila Samiti'. They engage in CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities like teaching special children at Arunodaya school, helping tribal children in studies, conducting health camps, providing employment to displaced people and reaching out to the needy in nearby villages apart from taking up plantation and greenery drives.
They also bring out a quarterly, trilingual magazine 'Spark'. This is in addition to another trilingual magazine 'Ukkuvani' that is published on the latest happenings at the steel plant.
"VSP employees lead such complete lives here that their only fear is moving out after retirement. The environment is so beautiful here, especially the multi-ethnic culture. But once we retire, sadly we have to move out," said Bhaskar Rao, assistant manager (staff), who also looks after the hospitality services.
Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Ukkunagaram-Where-mini-India-lives-in-harmony/articleshow/20389564.cms
What's more, the steel township has places of worship belonging to different religious faiths, while it also has a temple marg where temples dedicated to different deities worshipped in various states are placed side by side. Such is the social and cultural integration here that dosas are a preferred breakfast item over puris in most North Indian households while paneer and samosas have become part of the South Indian menu.
"People are extremely respectful and tolerant towards one another's religion and take part in each and every festival that is celebrated at the community welfare centres -- be it Baisakhi, Eid, Ugadi, Christmas or Diwali," said Lata Choudhary, first lady of VSP and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd-VSP chairman and managing director A P Choudhary's wife, adding that cultural programmes conducted at Gurajada Kalakshetram also offer VSPites of all ages a chance to showcase their talent.
There's something about Ukkunagaram that makes people from every corner of the country feel completely at home, any VSPite will tell you. "This plurality is the biggest strength of the township and lends it a unique colour. You keep bumping into familiar faces and one fine day smile at each other and become friends," pointed out Bangalorean Vani Deshikachar, who manages Arunodaya school.
The extremely well-planned township, which is called Ukkunagaram, has 8,200 dwelling units in 13 sectors spread across 3,900 acres. It also has a 4,260-acre green belt that provides residents the opportunity to wake up to the twitter of birds and enjoy walking or cycling down the canopied tracks. It also has two clubs, Steel Club and Ukku Club, indoor and outdoor stadiums for various sports activities, swimming pools, gyms as well as an auditorium, where movies are screened twice a week.
Terming the township as a self-contained city, R P Srivastava, general manager, town administration, VSP, said, "We have a 150-bed specialty hospital, ayurvedic health centre, two tri-weekly vegetable markets, libraries, parlours, multi-cuisine restaurants, horticulture nurseries, branches of popular banks, petrol bunks, police station, post-office, you name it and we have it. Only with the mall and multiplex-culture in vogue, people go to the city once a week or fortnight."
Highlighting the safety aspect, Srivastava pointed out, "Even when employees travel frequently leaving behind their families, they do so without any worry as the neighbours are always at hand to help. It's also an ideal place for kids to grow up as we have 11 parks, an excellent skating rink, 16 schools and stadiums."
To make their otherwise placid life fun-filled, VSPT residents keep busy in various activities and at times punctuate the routine with picnics, trips or even chill out sessions at the city's malls, multiplexes and beach. While after work the men go clubbing or walking with friends in the picturesque campus, some meet up in the shopping arcades located in the heart of each of the 13 sectors.
"Life for us is extremely cushy and completely taken care of by VSP. We get everything one requires for day-to-day life and don't have to step out. We don't ever face power cuts or water problems," said Choudhury, describing the superior quality of life on the campus.
And for the women of Ukkunagaram, life is not just about managing their homes or kitty parties. Social service being integral to the township's culture, they also shoulder various social responsibilities as members of the 'Steel Mahila Samiti'. They engage in CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities like teaching special children at Arunodaya school, helping tribal children in studies, conducting health camps, providing employment to displaced people and reaching out to the needy in nearby villages apart from taking up plantation and greenery drives.
They also bring out a quarterly, trilingual magazine 'Spark'. This is in addition to another trilingual magazine 'Ukkuvani' that is published on the latest happenings at the steel plant.
"VSP employees lead such complete lives here that their only fear is moving out after retirement. The environment is so beautiful here, especially the multi-ethnic culture. But once we retire, sadly we have to move out," said Bhaskar Rao, assistant manager (staff), who also looks after the hospitality services.
Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Ukkunagaram-Where-mini-India-lives-in-harmony/articleshow/20389564.cms