I was invited as chief guest to deliver a talk on inaugural and valedictory days in a two-day UGC-sponsored national seminar held on March 24 and 25, 2025, at Smt. Kondepati Sarojini Devi Mahila Kalasala UG and PG (AUTONOMOUS) Tanuku, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, popularly known as SKSD Mahila Kalasala College. The SKSD College was established in 1982 to create educational facilities for women/girls. The College is now renowned for discipline and excellent coaching under the leadership of Principal Capt. Mrs U. Lakshmi Sundari Bai and her team. Another personality for the development of the college is Mrs. Chitturi Satya Usha Rani, Secretary and Correspondent of the SKSD Group of Colleges. In the context of the seminar, of many names who dedicatedly worked for its success, two names I wish to mention – Mrs. G. Aruna Kumari, Head of the Department (Economics), and A. Naganna, Head of the Department (History), the convenor and co-convenor of the National Seminar respectively
The college management arranged my visit to Ballipadu village in Attili Mandal, where the famous Sri Madana Gopala Swami temple, an ancient temple, is located; the area is renowned for agricultural activities as the land is very fertile. Ballipadu is located 62 kilometers away from Eluru (district headquarters). And around 400 kilometers away from the State capital, Hyderabad. The total population of Ballipadu village was 4116, and the number of houses was 1222 as per the 2011 census- of which the female population was 49.2 percent. The total literacy rate was 66.4 percent, and the female literacy rate was 31 percent. The following table depicts the picture.
Table: Ballipadu – 2011 Census
| Census Parameter | Census Data |
| Total Population | 4116 |
| Total No of Houses | 1222 |
| Female Population % | 49.2 % |
| Total Literacy rate % | 66.4 % |
| Female Literacy rate | 31.7 % |
| Scheduled Tribes Population % | 0.2 % |
| Scheduled Caste Population % | 13.1 % |
| Working Population % | 37.7 % |
| Child (0 -6) Population by 2011 | 384 |
| Girl Child(0 -6) Population % by 2011 | 50.3 % |
Source: onefivenine.com/india/villages/West-Godavari/Attili/Ballipadu
Ballipadu village ( its Attili Mandal) is famous for agriculture as the land is very fertile, and one famous old temple is located at Ballipadu, bringing popularity to the area. The temple is known as Sri Madana Gopala Swami Temple. Bhagawan Sri Krishna is the main deity and is in the form of Madana Gopala Swamy. Sri Madana Gopala Swamy Temple is an ancient temple constructed in 1773. The welcome gateway on the main road of Bhagawan Venu Gopala Swamy, Bhagawan Venkateshwara Swamy, and Mata Rajya Lakshmi Idols can be found. A huge idol of Bhagawan Anjaneya can be seen in the temple premises.
Dhwajasthamb in the temple was installed in 1901. Bhagawan Madana Gopala Swamy Idol reminds us of the Madhurastakam hymn by Vallabhacharya Adharam Madhuram! A unique attraction is Koneru (pond), where Bhagawan Vishnu is reclining on Adisesha with His consort Mata Adi Lakshmi Devi seated near His feet.
It is pertinent to mention that the West Godavari district is famous for paddy crops in both seasons. During the Kharif season, sugarcane is the second major crop. Paddy and sugarcane contribute around 95 percent of the total cropped area.
During Rabi, black gram and maize are mainly cultivated in Tadepalligudem Mandal. When I visited Ballipadu and its Mandal, I observed paddy cultivation everywhere, and the attractive greenery mesmerized me.
Prof Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad
References:
1) villageinfo.in/andhra-pradesh/west-godavari/attili/ballipadu.html
2) onefivenine.com/india/villages/West-Godavari/Attili/Ballipadu
3) holyshrines.in/sri-madana-gopala-swamy-temple-ballipadu/
Track2Training 
You must be logged in to post a comment.