Andhra mulls crowd-funding for new capital

The Andhra Pradesh government plans to launch a crowd-funding initiative for development of new state capital Amaravati.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the unique initiative while laying the foundation stone for the new capital on October 22.

Under the initiative, there will be a digital brick on which people can have their names engraved and make a contribution to the new capital from any place in the world.

Presiding over a meeting in Vijayawada on the arrangements for the foundation stone laying ceremony, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu discussed the proposed initiative with the officials.

"This will bring a sense of ownership of the capital," the chief minister said.

As many people from across the state will be willing to attend the event, the chief minister asked officials to expand the capacity of the event to over one lakh people.

The event will also have a special performance called "Raithu Vandanam", thanking farmers for their contribution to the capital.

Naidu also asked officials to ensure that all the pots in which the soil from 16,000 villages will be brought are placed properly to retain the holiness.

He suggested that the capital should reflect the 'blue and green' theme, indicating water and greenery.

"The people's capital will be a symbol of sustainability and simultaneously reflect the historic roots to Buddhism," he said.