A taste of what I'm in for

Although I've already been there and seen it for myself, I found the following quotes about Ukkunagaram - the township I'll be living in - rather appealing:

"The township has become a place for harmonious living." - Yes, but what does that say about the surrounding area?

"The design of the Township itself is state-of-the-art. The designers (Auroville trust - Pondicherry) followed the Roman Circular design for the layout of homes and roads to keep the distances equal between any two points within the township. It is a modern township with underground sewerage, storm water drains and underground power cabling." - Nice!

"The beauty of the Township is that it sits in the cradle of the unspoilt forest belt starting at the Valleys of Araku through Yelamanchili to Narsipatnam." - How poetic, and not at all overstated!

A bit of Etymology: The name Ukkunagaram means literally "steeltown" because its sole purpose is to accomodate the Visag Steel Plant community. Two massive blast furnaces at the plant are amusingly nicknamed "Godavari" and "Krishna", after A.P.'s sacred river and one of the Hindu gods. I wonder whether they are garlanded?

Last knockings

I am waiting and eager to get going now. My visa has finally come and this licenses me to spend an entire year in The Great Hindustan. After so much blood, sweat and organising - what a fun prospect!