Visakhapatnam, formerly known as Vizagapatam is the proposed executive capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It lies between the Eastern Ghats and the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
It is the second largest city in the east coast of India after Chennai and also the fourth largest city in South India. It is one of the four smart cities of Andhra Pradesh selected under Smart Cities Mission.
Visakhapatnam's history stretches back to the 6th century BCE, when it was considered a part of the Kalinga Kingdom, and later ruled by the Vengi, the Pallava and Eastern Ganga dynasties.
Archaeological records suggest that the present city was built around the 11th and 12th centuries with control over the city fluctuating between the Chola dynasty and the Gajapati Kingdom, until its conquest by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century.
Some of the notable poets from the city include Sri Sri, Gollapudi Maruti Rao, Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. Visakhapatnam is one of the main tourism destinations in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is famous for beaches, caves and the Eastern Ghats as well as wildlife sanctuaries. About 30% of the city is covered with greenery.
Political tensions are rising in the Karnataka government over portfolio allocations, with several ministers openly expressing discontent.
The race for faster artificial intelligence is expanding globally, but it is colliding head-on with a massive physical reality. In this episode of Tech Today, we explore the heavy environmental toll of the infrastructure powering our digital world, test a tech-packed affordable EV, and review a new photography powerhouse. Big Tech Story: The Real Cost of AI Boom Everyone wants faster chatbots and instant AI image generation, but almost nobody is looking at the physical data centers making it happen. These massive facilities demand enormous amounts of power, land, and water for cooling. From Northern Virginia to Chile and Ireland, local communities are pushing back against severe strains on electrical grids and scarce water resources. Now, India is facing its first major warning sign. We look at the 15 billion dollar data center hub in Visakhapatnam, the subsequent social media censorship surrounding it, and why India must find a transparent, responsible path forward to build its AI future without making citizens pay the hidden environmental cost. Auto Intelligence: Tata Tiago EV Electric vehicles are moving into the Indian mainstream, and Tata is targeting accessibility with the updated Tiago EV. We put this entry-level electric hatchback to the test to see if affordable mobility can still feel high-tech. Premium Tech & Safety: Featuring a refreshed design, a unique rotary drive dial, a 10.25-inch floating infotainment screen, and a segment-first 360-degree camera system. It also comes standard with six airbags and connected-car companion app functionality. Battery & Range: Delivering an estimated range of up to 215 kilometers, the Tiago EV supports improved DC fast-charging that juices the battery from 20 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. Plus, Tata is addressing buyer anxiety by offering a lifetime warranty on the battery pack. Tech Review: Xiaomi 17T Xiaomi is changing its tactics in the mid-range segment, shifting focus toward versatile physical hardware over computational marketing buzzwords. We review the new Xiaomi 17T to see if it is the complete package. Leica Periscope Camera: The main highlight is the periscope telephoto system featuring a 50MP main Leica camera with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP telephoto lens capable of 5X optical zoom and up to 120X AI zoom. It delivers excellent multi-focal portraits and clean low-light shots. Specs & Battery: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra processor with 12GB RAM, UFS 4.1 storage, and a bright 6.59-inch AMOLED display. It packs a massive 6500mAh Silicon Carbon battery that easily lasts 2 full days on a charge, supported by 67W fast charging. What do you think about the hidden resource costs behind your favorite AI tools? Are you ready to make the switch to an affordable EV? Let us know in the comments below. Share this video with a friend and hit Subscribe to catch our upcoming coverage of Apple's WWDC from Apple Park in Cupertino!
Ahead of the Tamil Nadu election results, TVK chief Vijay visited the Tiruchendur Murugan and Shirdi Saibaba temples.
In Odisha’s Keonjhar district, a daily wage labourer carried his sister's skeletal remains to a rural bank to claim her savings after being denied access without a death certificate.
An investigation reveals a horrifying crime in Visakhapatnam where a technician working for the Indian Navy murdered his lover and dismembered her body. The accused strangled the victim following a financial dispute and threats to expose their relationship to his wife. Inspired by a high-profile murder in Delhi, the technician purchased a weapon online, severed the victim's body parts, and stored the torso in a refrigerator while disposing of the remaining parts in a nearby forest. Overcome with anxiety, the accused confessed to a friend who advised him to surrender, leading to his arrest by local law enforcement. The special report explores the chilling pattern of copycat crimes across the country, highlighting similar gruesome incidents where bodies were stored in refrigerators or concealed in drums. The broadcast also examines the ongoing judicial process of previous similar murder trials, underscoring the prolonged timeline for securing justice even in designated fast-track courts.
Namal Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan MP, raised concerns over the sinking of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena near Sri Lankan waters, saying the incident could be viewed as illegal and undermines long-standing norms in the Indian Ocean.
At least 87 people were killed when a US submarine struck and sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
India on Thursday condoled Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death who was killed in a combined military operation launched by the US and Israel on Saturday.
India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Mishri, signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US and Israel-led military strikes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met several world leaders and tech executives at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi.
In an exclusive interview with India Today at Davos, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu discusses India's rising global stature and his vision for the state's development.
On this special session at Davos, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu discusses India's rising global stature and his vision for the state's development. Naidu emphasizes that 'This is India's time' and credits Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the country's transformation on the world stage. Reflecting on his 30-year association with the World Economic Forum, he highlights his shift from 'ease of doing business' to 'speed of doing business' to attract global investment. The Chief Minister details plans for inclusive growth through cluster models in Visakhapatnam, Amaravati, and Tirupati, alongside the establishment of 175 MSME parks. He also shares insights on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for governance, health through the 'Sanjeevani' project with Bill Gates, and infrastructure projects including 20 new ports and airports. Naidu remains optimistic about India's potential to lead for centuries through strong leadership and technological adoption.
On this Special Report from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu discusses India's global transformation and his vision for the state. Highlighting the shift from 1996 to the present, Naidu stated, 'Today, everybody is acknowledging, everybody is recognizing, and also everybody is saying this is India's time.' He detailed his transition from 'Ease of Doing Business' to 'Speed of Doing Business,' aiming to make Andhra Pradesh a global hub through cluster models in Visakhapatnam, Amaravati, and Tirupati. Naidu also shared his ambitious 'one family, one entrepreneur' goal and the upcoming AI Living Lab. The session, which included the unveiling of Business Today's 34th-anniversary edition, touched upon infrastructure projects like 20 new ports and airports. Naidu emphasized that strong leadership and technology, particularly AI, are the primary drivers for India's double-digit growth and its emergence as a global leader in the 21st century.
This special report highlights the nationwide celebrations of Makara Sankranti, described as a 'festival of smiles and a new harvest'. The programme explores how the festival marks the sun's transition into Makara Rashi, symbolising prosperity, gratitude, and new beginnings for communities across India. The report captures the vibrant atmosphere as homes are adorned with colourful rangolis and traditional prayers are offered to the Sun God. From the joy of flying kites to the preparation of festive delicacies, the segment illustrates how Sankranti brings people together in a spirit of unity. The report concludes with a focus on the cultural significance of the harvest season, noting that the festivities remain a timeless tradition of joy and bountiful harvests for the people, particularly in regions like Visakhapatnam.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the progress of the Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh following the successful landing of the first commercial validation flight. GMR Group Deputy Managing Director I.P. Rao confirms that 96% of the work is complete and operations are expected to commence by May or June 2026. The programme highlights the airport's unique features, including the 'Mugulu' or Rangoli-inspired ceiling design and structural resilience against cyclones with a wind speed design of 275 km/hr. Rao also details the passenger capacity of 6 million annually and the integration of self-baggage drops.
In this Special Report, India Today's Consulting Editor (Sports) Nikhil Naz analyses the crucial 3rd ODI between India and South Africa in Visakhapatnam. Naz highlights the significance of India finally winning the toss after a gap of 20 matches, terming it a 'massive relief' for captain KL Rahul. He explains how the 'dew' factor makes the toss vital, giving the chasing team a distinct advantage. The editor praises the bowling efforts of Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna, who restricted the visitors to 270 runs—the first sub-300 total of the series. Naz notes that despite South Africa's strong start, India's disciplined bowling in the middle overs has placed them in the 'driver's seat' to win the series decider.
India vs South Africa, 3rd ODI: Gautam Gambhir lashed out at an IPL team owner for suggesting split coaching, praised his players for bouncing back to win the ODI series, and reiterated his views on white-ball tactics in a fiery press conference that had it all on Saturday, December 6.
IND vs SA: India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate emphasised that the team is carrying a sense of desperation to win the ODI series against the Proteas, and will go all-out in the Vizag decider to turn their fate around.
This special report tracks Severe Cyclonic Storm Phethai, set for landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast, with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu overseeing the response. The IMD director predicted that 'the landfall is going to be between Mashlipatnam and... Kalingapatnam and this specific area runs through the belt of... Konaseema, Kakinada and Vishakhapatnam'. The storm is expected to hit near Kakinada with wind speeds gusting up to 110 kilometers per hour, prompting red alerts across coastal districts. Widespread impact is anticipated not just in Andhra Pradesh, but also in the neighbouring states of Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Authorities have initiated large-scale evacuations from low-lying regions, established numerous rehabilitation centers, and cancelled or diverted dozens of train and flight services to prevent loss of life and property as the cyclone approaches.
This special report focuses on Cyclone Manta, which is set to make landfall on the coast of Andhra Pradesh, triggering large-scale preparedness measures. Key figures discussed include Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who are monitoring the situation. According to officials, 'the landfall is expected to happen between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam is what officials have predicted and that is somewhere in the Kakinada region'. The report details the evacuation of people from low-lying areas to over 150 relief centers, the deployment of over 20 NDRF and SDRF teams, and predictions of wind speeds reaching up to 110 kilometers per hour. The administration is on high alert, with emergency services and special nodal officers appointed across districts to manage the unfolding crisis.
