TELANGANA - A NEW BEGINNING : Muralidhar Rao Andhra Pradesh was formed on November 1st, 1956 through the provisions of States Reorganisation Act, with Hyderabad as its capital. Potti Sreeramulu, a great freedom fighter, sacrificed his life for the formation of a state for the Telugu speaking people in India. Today, after Hindi speaking states, it became the next state to be split into two where same language is spoken. Since 1942, Andhra played a very crucial role in shaping the national politics of India. Congress party has always been very strong in the state and the state has been their citadel from the beginning. Even during the 1977 general elections which ousted Indira Gandhi led Congress party from power, Andhra Pradesh sent 41 Congress MPs from its 42 constituencies to Loksabha. Despite of forming Andhra Pradesh by uniting Telangana and Andhra, there were voices of demands for separation from the early beginning of the state. In 1969, Telangana Praja Samiti was formed with this objective, which could win 10 out of 11 Loksabha seats in Telangana region in 1971 general elections. But it soon merged with Congress and couldnot achieve any results for a separate Telangana. The movement for a separate Telangana became intense in the last few years, cutting across different affiliations to become a true people’s movement. Civil society, students, youth and various other groups participated unanimously in the struggle. The state unit of BJP had passed a resolution in favour of a separate Telangana in Kakinada in late nineties. But it could not become part of the agenda of the BJP at national level at that time and it remained as a local agenda. Since 2005, the BJP at the national level has endorsed the idea of a separate Telangana and has been conducting a strong movement for the same. The Telangana movement was strengthened by the initiatives of BJP at national as well as state levels. Congress decided to separate the two states in a highly compulsive situation created by the Telangana movement of which BJP was a key player. With the decision of Congress Working Committee on 30th July 2013, the last obstruction for forming Telangana state was removed. Congress could have avoided the delay. If this decision was taken earlier, the development process in new states would have been set in motion by now. Both the states face many challenges ahead, but at the same time have also a multitude of opportunities. If the varieties of advantages are exploited efficiently, both the states can contribute equally to the development of the nation. People of Seemandhra are educationally forward and the region is blessed with various resources including a long coastline. It has very rich alluvial delta soil deposited by Krishna and Godavari before joining the sea. It is indeed an Annapurna-bowl of grains, feeding a large populace. Natural gas and various mineral resources are identified in this region. The people of Seemandhra are also well known for their entrepreneurial skills. A vibrant Telugu film industry is the result of the hard work of the people of this region. There is also an extensive rail and road network in the region. Due to its ports, the area has the opportunity for lots of exports. Telangana has Hyderabad as its commercial and administration hub. Hyderabad is one of the most developed cities of India with an international airport, many universities, public research institutions, leading companies etc. Telangana region has large reserves of coal and minerals. The great Kakatiya and Shatavahana empires have created extensive irrigational facilities including numerous lakes and ponds in Telangana, which even today are sustaining the region. Telugu is a classical language with deep roots in our ancient civilization and is considered as the sweet of the east. Its prose and poetry encapsulates the essence of the orient. After Hindi, it is the largest spoken language in India. After Sanskrit it contributes the largest number of classics. Telugu also has a wide Diaspora. For a population blessed with such a strong heritage, the issues of political conflicts are insignificant and they will overcome it quickly. Though there are certain challenges pertaining to some aspects, I hope the leadership of both regions endowed with creative minds will find solutions for all the issues. The people of Hyderabad need not carry worries of any possible risks due to the separation. People of Seemandhra living in Hyderabad can participate in the development of Telangana with full and equal rights.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:27:42 +0000
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