Hyderabad wakes up to pink sunrise - TeluguPeople.com News

HYDERABAD: Decades of struggle, conflict and pain will finally be rewarded today as Telangana officially becomes the 29th state of the country.

While the date was set a few weeks ago, the past few days have had a palpable excitement in the air and Sunday was cloaked in a vibrant pink celebratory mood.

As flags and banners of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) were put up across Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Cyberabad, the countdown to T seemed to be on everybody's mind.

A host of events have been earmarked for the day ' from a poetry session to extemporaneous cultural performances, supporters, Telangana activists and denizens are coming together to celebrate the landmark.

'We have been waiting for this day for a long time now. It's a highly emotional moment for us because we know how much we have suffered to make this a reality and we will be celebrating throughout the day,' said K Yeshwant Rao, a student of Osmania University, who has actively been taking part in the movement for the last six years.

Yeshwant, who lost a friend in the struggle for the state, said they will celebrate in honour of the people who lost the lives during the movement.

'A lot of my friends have suggested that we tone down the celebrations considering so many people have given their lives for Telangana. However, I feel the only way to honour them is to celebrate the achievement ' they wouldn't want it any other way,' he said adding that they have a number of activities planned for the day.

Many revelers were up late into the night dancing and making merry. From street plays to traditional dances, the idea was to cherish the essence of the Telangana spirit.

'We planned to start the celebrations from midnight itself. We also arranged for firecrackers; as soon as the clock strikes 12, there will be bursting of firecrackers, the pink flag shall be paraded and we will rejoice in unison,' explained the 25-year-old on the eve of the big T-Day.

The old bastion

For 63-year-old Mallikarjun Reddy, it's an emotional day as he's witnessed and lived the struggle his entire life. 'Along with my family and a group of friends, we will all gather together and cut a cake to welcome our new state and the beginning that we have all been waiting for.

The moment has finally arrived and we're all excited,' shares the physics lecturer. An avid supporter of the cause, Reddy feels that today will have an exemplary display of strength and unity among the people, something he's only dreamed of in the past.

'As Telangana takes birth, it's time to unite and celebrate the hard fought victory of the people. From today, we proceed towards a new era,' he adds.

Though the mood is largely celebratory, there are some who believe that today is not the final step in the struggle; the fight for Telangana has only changed in form.

'This is the day for which people who had fought in the Telangana movement in 1969 have been waiting in the last 44 years.

However, this is not a celebration for us as we do not believe that the movement is finished. Telangana today has been in the hands of opportunistic politicians.

Right now we share a joint capital and judiciary. The movement does not stop with this (state formation). Only when the State is independent 100 per cent, will the fight end,' opined Dr Chiranjeevi Kolluri, co-convener of the 1969 Telangana Movement Founders Forum.

The virtual elation

All major traffic junctions in the city have been festooned with TRS flags, KCR cut-outs and banners of the political party. Large posters have also been set up across with smiling politicos waving to the masses.

But it isn't just the physical world that's been transformed pink with excitement, the social media too has been abuzz from Sunday morning as the passionate supporters from across the State, country and the world have been keeping the chatter going.

Websites like Facebook and Twitter have been constantly updated with a countdown ticker, besides sloganeering for Jai Telangana. 'The historical day is beginning in a few hours and we are living in the moment. Can't wait to thump the fist high and scream Jai #Telangana,' read a tweet from one Sai Chand.

Dozens of Facebook pages mushroomed overnight with updates like 'Let the celebrations begin'. The Hyderabad Telangana State forum was one which had plenty of activity, including a picture of the Telangana Talli. The page has over 10K likes.

Meanwhile, Telangana Netizens Forum posted a picture Professor Kothapalli Jayashankar, a Telangana ideologist, with the message: 'We miss you sir! You were always right! You made us dream about Telangana, now it's a reality! God Bless #Telangana! Thanks for your motivation and inspiration! Jai Telangana!'

'It is celebration time for the people of Telangana as their dream of having their own state has come true and the new state officially takes birth. Jai Telangana,' read a tweet by another T-citizen, Talluri S Rao.

The Ballad

Telangana folklore has been a very important aspect of the struggle, especially in disseminating the roots of the struggle and giving pride to people championing the cause.

So, of course, they will also be a large part of today's celebration. Folk artistes who waged a 'cultural' agitation for the cause have planned festivities across the State and are very upbeat about today.

'We have been performing in different kinds of cultural programs and activities across the state. Since this is a historic occasion, the people are in a joyous mood and have enthusiastically joined us in our celebrations,' said Jangireddy Janapadam, a folk-singer on Telangana and its culture. A very important day for the evolution of the Telangana story, these folk artists will play a very entertaining yet vital role.

Speaking to CE while on his way to Zahirabad for a performance, Jangireddy shared that the celebrations will continue right through week. 'We will be performing in Mehboobnagar tomorrow and will be singing plenty of songs about the culture of Telangana.'

The cultural organisation Darsanam is also organising a poet's meet called 'Maa Talli Telangana' to mark the formation of the new state.

'All kinds of poets from Telangana will be coming together to celebrate this joyous occasion. The event will take place at the Telugu University's auditorium from 5 pm onwards,' informed MVR Sharma, an organiser of the event.

Be it music, be celebration or just art, the day will be inked in more ways than one and so will history be remembered in more ways than one.