Lighthouse Festival Illuminates Visakhapatnam, Boosts AP's Global Cultural Recognition

• Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu praised the Lighthouse Festival for showcasing Andhra Pradesh's culture and coastline.
• The festival, organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Directorate General of Lighthouses, features a mega carnival, handicrafts, and cultural programs.
• Visakhapatnam hosts the third Lighthouse Festival, following Goa (2023) and Puri (2024), enhancing coastal tourism in Andhra Pradesh.
• Nationwide, lighthouse tourist centers increased from 6 to 75, boosting visitor numbers fivefold to 20 lakh.
• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the development of 75 lighthouses as tourist centers and India's ambition to be a top shipbuilding nation.

Why It Matters: Lighthouse Festival in Visakhapatnam celebrates AP's culture, boosts coastal tourism, and highlights India's maritime growth.