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 c