On 'Mann ki Baat' Modi praises Vijayawada artist who makes sculptors from automobile scrap

Srinivas Padakandla, the head of the fine arts department in the University College of Architecture and Planning, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, has been transforming recycled automobile metal scrap into sculptures. His models have been installed in many cities.

On Sunday, Mr. Modi said, "There is Professor Srinivasa Padkandlaji in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. He is doing very interesting work. He has created sculptures from automobile metal scrap. These huge sculptures have been installed in public parks and people come to see them with great enthusiasm."

A resident of Maruti Nagar, Vijayawada, Mr. Srinivas completed his postgraduation in fine arts in sculpture from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi in 1998. He worked as a faculty member at Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University in Hyderabad from 2007 to 2010.

The Prime Minister also mentioned St. Teresa's College in Kochi, Kerala, where the students make recycled toys. The students convert old clothes, discarded wooden pieces, bags, and boxes into toys. Special attention is paid to ensure that the toys are safe as well as child-friendly.

"This is an innovative experiment with electronic and automobile waste recycling. I once again applaud these efforts of Kochi and Vijayawada and hope that a greater number of people will come forward in such efforts," said the Prime Minister.

Praise for 100-year-old Jaidev Chowdhary

The Prime Minister also praised Jaisev Chowdhary, a 100-year-old man who took the COVID-19 vaccine and inspired many to take it, too.

"The 100-year-old Jai Chowdhary from Hyderabad has taken the vaccine and it's an appeal to all to take the vaccine. I am observing on Twitter and Facebook how people are uploading photos after the elderly of their homes take the vaccine," said Prime Minister.

Jaidev Chowdhary was among the first ones to take the jab at Medicover Hospitals in Hyderabad on Monday. "I was waiting for the day to be vaccinated, to enjoy the qualities of a socially-active life," said Mr. Chowdhary.

Referring to the hesitation of some people in taking the vaccine, he said a lot of misinformation was being spread about the vaccine but people should come forward to take the vaccination not for their own benefit but for their family and society. Mr. Chowdhary is a former entrepreneur and father of Pradeep Chowdhary, the managing director of Freedom Oils Company.