Centre okayed ballistic launching pad at Nagayalanka: I & PR Minister Kolusu

Minister for Housing and I&PR K Parthasarathy has announced that the Central government has given green signal to establish a ballistic launching pad at Nagayalanka.
The Minister participated in the 115 th birth anniversary of former director of DRDA and former advisor in science and technology to the Defence Ministry Dr. Suri Bhagavantham organised on the premises of Sri Sobhanadri Lakshmi Narasimha Vedic school at Agiripalli in Nuzvid constituency on Monday.
The Minister unveiled the bronze statue of of Dr. Suri Bhagavantham flanked by MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad and former director of DRDA Dr. G Satish Reddy.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Minister Parthasarathy disclosed that the Centre approved the setting up of ballistic launching pad at Nagayalanka which had been in pending for several years.  The Minister said that the former President of India late Abdul Kalam, Dr S Bhagavantham laid the foundation for Indian defense technology.
Parthasarathy said that a memorial center for Suri Bhagavantham would be established, adding that information will be made available so that people can know the biography of Suri Bhagavantham and his achievements in the fields of defense science and technology.
Those who have made special contributions in the fields of science and technology would be selected every year.  He underlined the need of forming a trust to announce awards in the name of Suri Bhagavantham to present those who strive hard in the field science and technology every year. The Minister announced that he would donate Rs 5 lakh for the trust.
MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad lauded DRDA former director Satish Reddy for the vital role he played to set up ballistic launch pad at Nagayalanka. Dr Satish Reddy recalled the efforts of Suri Bhagavathanm in placing India at the forefront of the world in the fields of defense science and technology.
He said said that 25 laboratories were set up during Bhavantham tenure. Dr. Dr. Suri Bhagwantham has taken steps towards strengthening the national defense system with a lot of foresight, India has moved from the level of importing defense equipment to the level of exporting it. In the year 2023-24, weapons worth Rs 24,000 crores have been exported to foreign countries from India, he added.