17 memorable events that marked 2017 for Vizag- Part 1

As we step into a brand new year, here’s celebrating all that 2017 brought our way.

The year gone by was a special one. Our growing city achieved many successes and accolades and was thrust into the limelight. Many events, festivals, and firsts marked the months on our calendar. So as we bid 2017 goodbye, it is with fond memories. As we welcome 2018 with the hope that it will bring us many more accomplishments, Team Yo! Vizag brings you the part 1 of the seventeen things to celebrate about 2017.

1.CII Partnership Summit 2017

2017 started off with a bang. The CII Partnership Summit in January brought together over 2,000 delegates from across the country and the world. With over 600 MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding) signed at the event, it was accorded to be a grand success with the Hon’ble Governor ESL Narasimhan, stating that this shows the rapid strides the state has taken post bifurcation. Hon’ble Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu stated that he was pleased at the turnout, with the event surely paving the way for many good things to follow in the rest of the year.

2.Clean and green ratings

As per the Swachh Survekshan 2017, Vizag ranked as the third cleanest city. What’s more, as per Swachh Bharat, it was also deemed as a model city for others to learn from. Under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the mission of developing 500 cities along the lines of 15 cities has been outlined. Of the 15 cities, Vizag ranks at No.3 and we citizens take great pride in that.

3.Scenic Train Trips

The train trip to Araku and back became much more exciting with the addition of the Vistadome. Launched in April 2017, this special coach came equipped with glass roofs where the transparency can be electronically adjusted. Along with huge windows and 180 degrees rotatable seats one could enjoy an uninterrupted view of the valley from the comfort of an air-conditioned coach.

4.Flying International

Travel options to other countries from Visakhapatnam became much more lucrative and easy, thanks to the additions of new flights and airlines this year. SriLankan Airlines marked their entry into Vizag in July. With flights that operate four times a week, Vizag is the 12th destination for the airline, which now operates a fleet of 25 aircrafts through the Visakhapatnam and Colombo route. Meanwhile AirAsia added a new flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as well, thereby upping the count to four flights a week.

5.Sports galore

Sports has always been the city’s first love and Vizag played host to sporting events at both national and international levels. This marked the fact that we are at par with many other cities when it comes to infrastructure and facilities. The National Boxing Championship was held at the Swarna Bharati stadium in October. The International Snooker Tournament, a first of its kind, was hosted in Vizag as well. The fourth Indian Open World ranking Snooker Tournament was held in the city at Hotel Novotel, from September 12 to 16. December brought favourite cricket players from Sri Lanka and Team India to play at the ODI.

6.Biggest Blockchain conference

October saw India’s biggest blockchain conference happen in the city. Organised by Fintech Valley Vizag, the conference was hosted with the support of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. With a focus on bringing businesses to the city, the event marked a first of its kind for the development of the state. It brought together start-ups, policymakers and experts on one platform and saw several MoUs being signed as well.

7.On the High Note in Tourism

Switching on the spotlight to tourism in the region were the events of Sounds On Sand and Araku Balloon Festival. Held in November, when the city’s weather is simply delightful, the event brought many people across the world to our shores. Sound On Sand brought some of the nation’s best singers on the stage that was set at RK Beach. The Araku Balloon Festival not only brought hot air balloon pilots from 13 countries, it also brought travel writers and national /international media houses at one place. With luxury tents pitched in the pristine valley and hot air balloons in the skies, 2017 marked a great start in the upward curve for State tourism.

8.Bill Gates’ Visit

The APAgTech summit held in the city in November brought the co-founder of Microsoft to our shores. For the first time ever, Bill Gates visited Visakhapatnam and applauded the efforts of the State Government in the field of agriculture and stressed on the importance of agricultural innovations. The three-day summit brought together farmer delegates, government officials, global leaders, policymakers and business heads on a common platform. Sessions were conducted by panel experts and irrigation technologies were showcased. The event also called for entries in the category of innovative technologies in agriculture with prizes awarded to winners.