VISAKHAPATNAM: A former UPSC member and Dravida University Vice Chancellor, Prof. KS Chalam, has urged the state govt to establish a state museum in the newly constructed palace on Rushikonda Hill. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Prof. Chalam highlighted the absence of a state museum in Andhra Pradesh, as the current small museum in the city belongs to the Navy.He emphasized the need to bring back sculptures, art pieces, and Buddha relics that should have been transferred to the state after the bifurcation but are currently in Hyderabad.
Prof. Chalam commended Chief Minister Naidu for his recent speech, in which he mentioned that the suggestion for Andhras to increase their population reflects the foresight of a visionary. As an Economics Professor and researcher, Prof. Chalam wrote about this issue long ago and expressed his satisfaction that the Chief Minister recognizes the importance of population growth for Andhra Pradesh to secure better allocations from the central govt, particularly in the Finance Commission.
The Rushikonda site, according to Prof. Chalam, has the potential to become a significant attraction for international tourists from countries such as Japan, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. He pointed out that there are sufficient rooms available for the museum, which could be declared as the East Coast Museum, and the central govt could be approached for funding. Prof. Chalam also highlighted the historical significance of the region, noting that Telugu people lived along the entire East Coast in the past, and even now, fishermen from Puri to Rameswaram speak Telugu.
Furthermore, Prof. Chalam suggested that the museum could be developed into a high-level institution for the govt and the people by providing facilities for international seminars and researchers. He emphasized the historical importance of Visakhapatnam, particularly the areas of Visakha and Srikakulam (Ganjam) in the former Madras State, which were part of the ancient Trikalinga. The region is home to sacred sites such as Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Pavuralakonda, and Rushikonda, which are of great significance to the Telugu people and predate the Amaravati period. The presence of Buddhist and Jain religions in the area further adds to its historical and cultural value.
