Visakhapatnam, December 24: The national PESA Mahotsav: Utsav Lok Sanskriti Ka began with high energy at Visakhapatnam Port Stadium, marking the anniversary of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996. Union and state officials, including Andhra Pradesh's Panchayati Raj Commissioner, inaugurated the event alongside ace archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam.
Highlights included a 10K PESA Run along RK Beach, Khelo India kabaddi matches, archery contests, traditional demo games like Mallakhamb and Gedi Doud, and 68 stalls displaying tribal handicrafts, sarees, toys, and cuisines from states such as Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Odisha. Winners across sports received recognition, with cultural dances and craft bazaars adding vibrancy.
