Telangana Formation Day: Hidden faces of agitation to be celebrated

Hyderabad: Unlike the usual popular faces who had contributed to the formation of Telangana, for the first time the back-benchers, residents who played a big role in colonies during the separate state movement, will be brought under the limelight by colony members on the second anniversary of the state’s formation on Thursday.

Three colonies are celebrating these hidden faces on June 2. West Deendayalnagar Residents’ Welfare Association will highlight the contributions by Ms R. Aruna and Ms K. Rajitha.

Ms Aruna, a resident of Kakatiyanagar said, “I invested 10 years in fighting for a separate state; right from Vanta Vaarpu to Million March, I was a part of the struggle. Lack of employment in the family forced us to fight for a separate state.

Though educated, I had to remain as a housewife due to no employment. I am from Karimnagar, not just Hyderabad, I was part of several protests in my hometown too. After a 10-year struggle we were granted a state; we faced arrest, we spent days on the roads. However the struggle is on, until all our demands are met.”

Ms K. Rajitha, a resident of  Neredmet said, “Since 2009 I was part of Telangana Jagruthi, we had turned Bathukamma as a mark of protest, Telangana culture was used as a tool for dharnas. We used to come out of our homes early in the morning and set up LPG cylinders and other paraphernalia to cook and serve food along the roads as a protest. We fought single-mindedly to achieve the new state.”

Mr Nampally Ravi, president of West Deendayalnagar said, “Apart from felicitating the women, the colony is also conducting cultural activities, flag hoisting and spreading awareness about Telangana culture.”
Mr Baddam Parsuram Reddy, who had also contributed to the struggle, will also be felicitated by the colony RWA.

The works yet to be finished
On the debit side, the Chief Minister started his innings with promises of several plans and projects. He made several statements about turning Telangana into a Bangaru (Golden) state. But, there is no momentum to such plans.

His promises also included converting the Old City into Istanbul, Hyderabad into the city of Dallas (Texas), and even Karimnagar into London. He had also promised a Kalabharathi in place of the NTR Stadium, remodelling of Ravindra Bharati, twin-towers for Osmania General Hospital, shifting of Chanchalguda Jail, shifting of Race Course, and establishment of another airport at Shamirpet.

In fact, the most important pronouncement from the CM was on shifting the seat of administration, the Secretariat. First, he said it would be moved to the Bison Polo ground, then he wanted it to be at Erragadda Chest Hospital.

Now, he is toying with the idea of rebuilding the Secretariat in the existing place itself. Last but not the least, the Chief Minister was seen to have erred in one major respect. He did not want to recognise the existence of a drought situation in Telangana.