FACTS against a million LIES

FACTS against a million LIES -Kiran kumar - Part 1
Author(s) : Kiran Kumar Mattewada


1)Catchment area of Krishna Basin
Rayalaseema 18%
Andhra 13%
Telangana 69%

Allocation of Krishna water as per tribunal recommendation
Rayalaseema 16%
Andhra 49%
Telangana 35%

Actual utilization
Rayalaseema 13%
Andhra 87%
TelanganaLess Than 1%

2) Godavari river catchment area
Telangana 79% (1170 TMC)
Andhra 21% (310 TMC)

Utilization of Godavari waters
Andhra 23% (320 TMC i.e. 110% of allotted)
Telangana 9.6 % (143 TMC)
- 405 TMC is being diverted to Andhra via Polavaram project

3) Total loss of water share of Telangana merging with Andhra is 1125 TMC.
With estimation of 1 TMC to serve 10,000 acres, total cultivation land Telangana lost is 11, 25,000 acres.

4) There are 10 districts in Telangana, 9 in Andhra, 4 in Rayalaseema. Out of these 7 districts in Telangana, 3 in Andhra and 1 in Rayalaseema are considered severely backward districts which means 70% of districts in Telangana are backward while in Andhra - 35% and in Rayalaseema - 25%

5) 65% of Industries in Telangana are owned by Andhra. One Telangana person (close relative of Sri Jaipal Reddy) tried to start industry in west Godavari, he was harassed and tormented so much that he gave it up half way through.

6) All Telangana region CM's combined tenure is hardly 6 years.

7) From past 50 years AP got nearly 40 major projects in which 37 went to Seemandhra region

8) Telangana side:
Ø SLBC (30 TMC) not taken up
Ø SLBC beyond Musi river (20 TMC) not taken up
Ø RDS extension (10 TMC) not taken up
Ø LIS to high level areas in Mahabubnagar not taken up
Ø Bheema LIS 20 TMC under construction for many years

Seemandhra side:

Ø Telugu Ganga project (29 TMC) completed
Ø SRBC (19 TMC) completed
Ø KC canal extension completed (10 TMC)
Ø Upland areas Brahmamgari matham reservoir (10 TMC) completed
Ø SRBC beyond Gorakallu (20TMC) under construction
Ø Puchintala evaporation losses (5 TMC) under construction
Ø Veligonda not recommended project (40 TMC) almost completed
Ø Handrineeva sujala sarvanthi not recommended (38 TMC) almost completed
Ø Galerunagari sujala sravanthi not recommended (38 TMC) is under construction

9) Pothireddypadu regulator was originally created for drinking water to Chennai with 5 TMC. Gradually 5 projects were ‘piggy backed’ & augmented to canal. In the name of drinking water, Rayalaseema leaders wanted to take away the entire waters of Srisailam reservoir.

10) Veligonda project is being constructed on war footing basis. This will drain 60 TMC of water from Srisailam. This project is not allotted (water share by tribunal) and do not have clearance till now.

11) Handrineeva Srujana Sravanthi not allotted not cleared project is going on war footing now. It will run through chittoor via Anantapur.

12) SLBC - Srisailam Left Bank Canal, despite of all recommendations, clearances and permissions never started. This would have provided 30 TMC for 3 Lakh acres in Nalgonda district.

13) Manuguru thermal power station proposed by Central govt due to proximity of coal mines was lobbied to be shifted to Vijayawada, transporting coal from telangana (singareni). This led to shortage of power due to pump set usage by Telangana farmers.

14) Ramagundam super thermal power station (2500 MW) transferred to NTPC, crippling power ownership of state by which we get only 27% of power produced and rest is pooled in national grid.
15) Dummugudem Hydal power station never even started construction – this remained a promise on paper.

16) Icchampalli power (975 MW) project never started.

17) Power regulatory mechanisms – 220 KV, 132 KV, 32 KV substations and lines never realized in Telangana region.

18) If Mumbai is not a free-zone, Delhi is not a freezone, Kolkatta is not a freezone, Chennai is not a freezone, Pune is not a freezone … why should Hyderabad be a freezone? Andhra enthusiasts hailing Hyd being a freezone were demanding entire Telangana should be freezone.

19) Telangana covers 41.7% area, Seemandhra 58.3% area. Telangana has 40.5% population, Seemandhra 59.5%. Telangana revenue is 53% to the state exchequer.

20) 1953 Andhra Pradesh the area irrigated under TANKS in the Telangana 11 lakh acres. Now it is hardly 6.5 lakh acres.

21) Andhra 9 districts – funds spent on education – Rs 1308.56 Crores
Rayalaseema 4 dist – funds spent on education – Rs 382.87 Crores
Telangana 10 districts – funds spent on education – Rs 163.39 Crores

22) Literacy – Andhra (9 districts) 42%
Rayalaseema (4 districts) 38%
Telangana (10 districts) 30%

23) Andhra 9 districts – schools 26,800
Rayalaseema 4 dist – schools 13,000
Telangana 10 dist – 17,954

24) Hospitals Andhra (9 dist) 666
Rayalaseema (4 dist) 303,
Telangana (10 dist) 270

25) Total Govt employees – Seemandhra (13 districts) 9 lakhs,
Telangana (10 dist) 3 lakhs

26) IAS/IPS/IFS officers (civil services)

Ø Andhra (9 dist) 225,
Ø Rayalaseema (4 dist) 50,
Ø Telangana (10 dist) 60

27) Industries (small/medium/large)
Ø Andhra (9 dist) 6,100,
Ø Rayalaseema (4 dist) 773
Ø Telangana (10 dist) 1250

28) Power Utilization

Ø Andhra (9 dist) 54%
Ø Rayalaseema (4 dist) 23%
Ø Telangana (10 dist) 23%

29) Nagarjunasagar project – Andhra submerged land = 0, cultivation land 20 lakh acres. Telangana submerged land = 100%, cultivation land 4.5 lakh acres

30) Polavaram project is submerging 250 small villages in Telangana, displacing 5 lakh tribals are going to provide lakhs of acres cultivation land to Andhra.

31) Grant-in-aid Private Degree colleges
Ø Andhra (9 dist) - 96,
Ø Rayalaseema (4 dist) – 32
Ø Telangana (10 dist) - 30

32) There are more than 130 posts of heads of departments. Out of them only 7or 8 are held by the officers belonging to the Telangana region.

33) Sales Tax collection (2001- 2002) – Andhra 21%, Rayalaseema 5%, Telangana 74%

34) Excise Collections (2001-2002) – Andhra 24%, Rayalaseema 10%, Telangana 66%

35) APPSC – Andhra Pradesh public service commission board members so far, 8 from Andhra, 6 from Rayalaseema, 2 from Telangana.

36) Telanganites constitutes 23% in all industries in Telangana area, 0% in Andhra, Rayalaseema area.

37) All housing board colonies in capital city – 93% people are from Seemandhra.

38) Govt Libraries
Ø Andhra (9 districts) 630
Ø Rayalaseema (4 dist) 243
Ø Telangana (10 dist) 450

40) Panchayat Raj divisions
Ø Andhra (9 dist) 883
Ø Rayalaseema (4 dist) 342
Ø Telangana (10 dist) 295

41) Most backward district in AP is Mahabubnagar, was granted 4% white ration cards. Most developed dist in AP is West Godavari dist was given 7% white ration cards.

42) 100% power of Vizag thermal (simhadri) is being used for Andhra only, but 27% power of Ramagundam is being used for A.P.

43) 82% of farmers are depending on private loans in Telangana

44) If development was the justification for keeping an alien ruler in place, India should have never been free from British rule!

45) There was no single drop of water in Palanadu 350yrs ago, it was like a desert. Now, entire Telangana canal irrigation land is less than Guntur dist alone.

46) Rs 60 crores of surplus budget was the pride of Telangana in 1948. When Andhra state was formed – it had only 1 Crore in hands given by Madras govt, and Shri Raj Gopalachari said ‘Get lost from here’.

47) Dr.B.R.Ambedkar suggested Hyderabad second capitol of India. He said Hyderabad is better than Delhi.

48) Government buys sugar cane from farmers (per quintal)
Ø Andhra – Rs 1200
Ø Telangana –Rs 890

Andhra lands are canal cultivated – Telangana depend on bore wells.

49) Andhrites converted Telangana -WAKF lands in to revenue lands in the era of real-estate boom, Lanco is main culprit in this, remember Muslim brothers shouted ‘go back’ at Lagadapati?

50) 150 forts are about to ruin in the Telangana which were built by various dynasties. They are symbols of great cultural heritage.

51) Hyd Central University is filled with Andhraits – every Central University in India has 60% reserved for local region. Except HCU.

52) Pranahita project, there is no staff, no sufficient funding, don’t even have proper office, but Andhra ruler says project will be completed 4yrs

53) There are never any difficulties in construction of irrigation projects in Andhra. But why irregularities, corruption, delays in Telangana projects?

54) Mahabubnagar 35lakhs population, migration 14 lakhs, 350km of Krishna stretch, there is no drinking water or irrigation water.

55) How many JNTU colleges should be there in 10 dist of Telangana, if 2 are in 4 districts of Rayalaseema?

56) AP dairy buys milk from farmers from Andhra Rs 24.30, Telangana Rs 22.30

57) 450 tribal villages, millions of tons of limestone, rich minerals, and lot of natural biodiversity…are going to submerge if Polavaram project is built.

58) Telangana is bigger than 24 states. Total official countries in the world are 194. Telangana will be bigger than 160 countries.

59) Revenue and Expenditure
Ø Seemandhra revenue 38.5% - Expenditure 49%
Ø Telangana revenue 61.5% - Expenditure 51%

60) Jallianwala bagh, General Dyer, 1919 yr - 379 shot dead. Telangana, Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, 1969 - 370 students shot dead.

61) WHO declared Nalgonda dist affected with fluorisis so much that it is moving towards No Man Zone.

62) While merging with Andhra leaders agreed to continue Mulki rules in Telangana. As per this 100% employees in Telangana should be from Telangana only.

63) Nizam formulated mulki rules in 1919, a person to get job in they must be Telangana from 15yrs, but now Andhra rulers reduced the period to 4yrs.

64) Seemandhrites got 28000 jobs in Telangana by getting bogus mulki certificates between 1956-1968. Between 1975 to 1985 again 58000 by violating presidential order.

65) In 1969 students/employees agitated against 28000 jobs by Andhra. Andhra rulers killed 370 students.

66) In 1972, Andhra rulers managed to cancel Supreme Court judgment by parliament, and then 6 point formula was introduced for jobs. As per this formula Telangana split into zone 5, zone 6.

67) As per presidential order Telangana people should get reservation 80% dist posts, 70% zonal posts, 60% Gazetted posts. Remaining 20%, 30%, 40% shall be open to other regions – what’s happening now?

68) In 1985, 610 GO for transfer of 58000 employs from Telangana, but this GO is never implemented. That too 610 GO is restricted to 102 departments only, out of 250 govt departments.

69) In 2001, Chandra Babu Naidu (CM) appointed Girglani Commission which submitted report in 2004 that 2 lakh Seemandhra employs are working in Telangana.

70) Only 23% Singareni coal is used in Telangana. Remaining 77% is being drained out to other places.

71) Per Capita Funds allocation to Student in universities.
Ø SV University - Rs. 37500, Andhra University - Rs 35500
Ø SK University - Rs 25000, Nagarjuna University - Rs 22700
Ø OU - Rs 17400, K.U - Rs 14000

72) Cultivation land (Lakh Acres) Before 1956 Andhra 30.65, Telangana 18.20. In 2004, Andhra 69.27, Telangana 18.00

73) Andhrites love for Hyd is like Pakistan’s love for Kashmir. They are ready to go to any extent to capture it.

74) Kothagudem thermal power station sabotaged on purpose to obtain repair contracts to Andhra contractors in 1978; this is confirmed in single man commission (Sundar Ramaiah commission – 1979)

75) All APSEB scams occurred so far at high level in board are targeted towards Telangana power supply and distribution, never to Andhra or Rayalaseema region. Higher officials found guilty by Vimal Lal commission, the recommendation were never implemented.

76) Technically it is possible to develop water grid to benefit Telangana, Rayalaseema and Andhra regions – it would match in comparison with Mississippi river water system (USA), Three Gorges river system (China), Nile river (Aswan dam) Africa and Rhine river system Europe. Similar models were conceived by intellectuals but are trashed by Andhra rulers and pseudo intellectuals because they will benefit Telangana.

77) 1969 - after Jai Telangana movement 'All Party Accord' was formulated, scrapped within 6 months. Than 8-point formula, 5-point formulas were announced then Supreme Court upheld Mulki rules. Andhra elites could not digest it, launched Jai Andhra movement. Central govt yielded as usual to elite’s tactics, then 6-point formula. Even this is being violated royally many times, robbing Telangana its rightfulness.

78) Nagarjuna Sagar initially meant to benefit Andhra and Telangana. Later on it is modified in such a way that 75% of the benefit is accruing to Andhra reducing the share of Telangana region to just 25%. Andhra settlers own 50% of these 25% utilization lands.

79) Singur project was originally designed to meet primarily the irrigation needs of Medak and Nizamabad districts. But it is now solely used for meeting the requirements of capital city.

80) Jurala Project which is the first project on river Krishna meant for Telangana which is the smallest of all the projects built on this river. The Bachawat Tribunal allocated just 17.5 TMC ft. water for this project, and the state government reduced its storage capacity to 60% ft. But the actual utilization so far has not been more than 10%

81) Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme was to irrigate 87500 acres in Mahabubnagar. The Bachawat Tribunal also allocated 15.90 TMC ft. of water for this project. This water has to pass through a canal in Raichur district of Karnataka State. After the formation of Andhra Pradesh landlords of Rayalaseema blasted the gates with bombs and diverted water to their land. Since then Govt never even tried to reconstruct the gates.

82) Devadula Project, provides water for 5 lakh acres, was promised to be finished in 5 yrs in 2001, yet to begin work. The funniest fact is, Sriramsagar is yet to be completed for last 40 yrs which provides water for just 4 lakh acres. Telangana people are supposed to believe the promise.

83) Two major projects proposed on river Godavari are Ichampally and Polavaram. Ichampally is meant for Telangana and Polavaram for Andhra. The irrigation potential of Polavaram Project would be 6 to 7 times more than the irrigation potential of Ichampally. Ichampally is going to be primarily a power project not a irrigation project!

84) Andhra lands are irrigated by canal irrigation i.e. with tax payer’s money. Andhra farmer pays Rs 200 - 300 per annum as water charges. Telangana lands are irrigated by bore wells; entire cost is on the farmer. Digging, power, bore well, motor, pipes. He struggles with fluctuations in power supplies with irregularities and pathetic power distribution pattern in Telangana.

85) Technological University was actually started in Warangal but was shifted to Hyderabad, Open University was originally Nalgonda district but was later shifted Hyd. The same state level Universities University of Health Sciences, Mahila University and the University of Dravidian Languages were allowed to stay in Seemandhra - not moved to Capital city.

86) Twelve milk chilling plants established by the erstwhile Telangana Regional Committee in different parts of Telangana have been abruptly closed down showing lack of funds as a reason.

87) Ramagundam is in heart of coal belt … Fertilizer plant is closed showing a reason as poor quality of coal. NTPC is running with same coal, VTPS is running with same coal. Subsequently, Fertilizer plants are started in Nellore and Andhra.

88) Based on the proportionality at least 40% of jobs, i.e. 6 lakhs, should have gone to Telangana. But the total number of jobs now occupied by them is less than 3 lakhs.

89) 1972, PV Narasimha Rao made an attempt to implement the verdict of Supreme Court validating the Mulki Rules. The verdict was in favor of Telangana. Seemandhra gave outrageous reaction, he lost his Chief Ministership.

90) If it is assumed that the leaders of a region becoming chief ministers can contribute to the development of that region, then why do the people of Rayalaseema complain of backwardness?

91) Daily wage workers working in industries
Ø Andhra (9 districts) 3.16 lakhs
Ø Rayalaseema (4 districts) – 0.7 lakhs
Ø Telangana (10 district) 0.81 lakhs

92) Andhra controlled media never highlighted migration of 15 lakh people out of 24lakh population from Mahabubnagar due to draught conditions. T. Anjaiah CM of AP from Telangana region was presented as a buffoon in dailies and cartoons.

93) At the time of merger Andhra leaders persuaded Telangana leaders by offering many safeguards against exploitation. They also passed a Unanimous Resolution’ in November 1955 in Andhra Assembly in support of safeguards and subsequently they put these safeguards in an Agreement on 20th February 1956 which is known as “Gentlemen’s Agreement”. All are trashed soon after the agreement is signed.

94) Proportional representation says Telangana should get 42% jobs in the Secretariat, but only 9% are working now. How can a people representative, MLA, MLC can get a work done if 91% do not help ?

95) Metro Rail project is being designed dilapidating 5000 shops, 2500 houses, 147 schools, 120 hospitals, 60 Temples/Masjid/Churches. Historical monuments will disappear. All shops and complexes throughout Metro rail route are with Seemandhra thugs.

96) 1947 India got Independence. 1948 Indian Army did police action to dethrone Nizam. Hyd state existed from 1949 to 1956. Telangana merged with Andhra against its wishes in1956. Telangana has nothing to do with Potti Sriramulu.

97) Telangana Sayudha Poratam, (Telangana armed struggle) was against Nizam facist rule, 4000 people died - inspired all subsequent land movements in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura and paved way for formation of Communist governments in those States. This is never acknowledged by Seemandhra rulers so far.

98) Despite 69% Krishna, 79% Godavari flows through Telangana, irrigation cost is Rs.1500/acre. 13% of Krishna, 21% Godavari flows through Andhra irrigation cost is Rs.150/acre.

99) Per capita income of Madhya Pradesh: Rs 18,051. Chattisgarh formed in 2000. Per capita income of Chhattisgarh in 2008-09 - Rs. 29,621. Recently formed smaller states are catching up with Haryana is 71%, Himachal is 81% and Uttarakhand is 75% - now Jharkhand 58%, Chhattisgarh 63% also infant mortality UP 67%, Uttarakhand 44%.

100) Yr 2008 Targeted growth rate & achieved: bigger states: MP 7% - 4.3%; UP 7.6% - 4.6%; Bihar 6.2% 4.7% smaller states: Chhattisgarh 6.1% - 9.2%; Jharkhand 6.9% - 11.1% Uttaranchal 6.8% - 8.8%

101) Since 1956 to date, the additional irrigation potential created in Telangana is only 5%

102) There are 10,000+ Industrial units in Telangana, 1200 are owned by Telanganites, 6500 are owned by Seemandhra, rest are by outsiders.

103) Proportionally Telangana should be given about 43% in budget allocation since 1953, it never exceeded 30%. Yet Telangana contributes 42% of revenue to the state exchequer.

104) Nizamsagar was built in 1931 to serve Nizamabad and Medak about 2.7 lakh acres of land. It was neglected for maintenance and improvements, now satellite images prove that all its 83 tributaries, 243 distributaries have been silted up and eroded. World Bank sanctioned 30 crores for the project, which was never spent. The project now going to be almost useless.

105) In Andhra region every year two crops are cultivated because of water availability, in Telangana a single crop will be cultivated with great difficulty.

106) Technical institutions wise, 26 are in Telangana, 54 are in Andhra, 20 polytechnics in Telangana, 70 in Andhra.

107) British build Railways, Administrative Services, Post and Telegraph, installed democratic institutions, judiciary, rule of law, and built the cities of Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, and New Delhi. British did not claim any of these when they had to leave India. Seemandhra are making big hue and cry clamoring for Hyderabad claiming they have built the city. In 400 yrs of Hyderabad history, how many years did they contribute the 'development'?.

108) Hyderabad - demographic expansion can never be considered as a development. It’s natural growth. It is like a girl who is 10 yrs now will attain 15yrs of age after 5 yrs – can we call it development? Also, its not just Hyd which is developed … all big/medium cities in India are in development path.




“If bifurcation takes place, real estate may take a beating. But the leadership of the new state will determine the future.”
— C. Parthasarathy Chairman, Karvy Stock Broking

“Nobody’s asking anybody to leave. Outsiders have always come here as Hyderabad has a nice climate and infrastructure.”
— D. Amar Chairman, Press Academy

“Telangana has come of age and Telanganaites want to rule themselves. There is no point dragging the issue.”
— Gita Ramaswamy Publisher, Hyderabad Book Trust

“The suicides that took place for Telangana recently aren’t part of the Telangana culture. That said, Telangana still isn’t a done deal.”
— Kancha Ilaiah Political scientist

“Hyderabad won’t be devalued nor will outsiders run away. The break-up will not result in the appropriation of poverty.”
— K.G. Kannabiran Member, PUCL

“Hyderabad’s place on the global IT map won’t change if there’s bifurcation. But Andhra inputs will be withdrawn.”
— Lalita Ghir Member, INTACH

“It is said that out of the 10 who come to Hyderabad, 12 stay on. That character of the city, built over centuries, will remain.”
— Narendra Luther Ex-civil servant and historian

“Brand Hyderabad won’t get devalued. The political leadership is more mature than in ’69 when 370 lives were lost.”
— Y. Harish Chandra Prasad Chairman, CII-AP

“Andhraites who came here and invested needn’t worry, only politicians who speculated on land will be affected.”
— A. Raghava Rao Director, Abin Advertising

“Hyderabad was open to outsiders even during the Qutb Shahi and Kakatiya dynasties. That character won’t change.”
— Zaheeruddin Ali Khan Managing editor, Siasat

TELANGANA BACKWARDNESS...........

TELANGANA REVOLUTION

Separate Telangana Movement in India: Democratic Versus Territorial

 
Abstract:

To comprehend the notion of people’s movements or participatory politics in democracy, study intended to take the ongoing Telangana movement (II phase-1990-2008) as a reference. There are several issues, concerns, democratic voices, grassroots people’s movements have been involved in the movement. Another coin of the movements, there are political parties that emerged just merely the cause of the separate statehood for Telangana region within Andhra Pradesh (provincial). They are: Telangana Rastra Samithi, Nava Telangana Party, and Talli Telangana Party. Another side the movement, several leaders, artists, activists, singers, creative writers was emerged. Parallel to the movement several scholars, artists, writers and activists from marginalized communities are demanding for equal share in political power, inclusive growth, annihilation of caste, and creed, economic empowerment and striving for the self-respect, descent-dignified life. Study also looks into the government’s response towards the movement. The author intended depends more on the empirical work that enhances to asses and comprehend the notion of formal and substantive democracy in India.

JAC to spearhead T-movement

    HYDERABAD: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Congress and Praja Rajyam in Telangana have decided to form a joint action committee to spearhead the Telangana movement.The newly-formed JAC called a bandh in Telangana region for 48 hours from tomorrow and appealed to people to maintain peace and not to resort to violence.They also decided to rope the Telugu Desam into the committee and received support from the BJP and CPI.TRS president K Chandrasekhara Rao, Congress legislators K Jana Reddy and R Damodar Reddy, and Praja Rajyam legislator A Anil met tonight after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s statement on Telangana.However, they decided that there would be no leader for the JAC, saying that Telangana itself was its leader.Speaking to presspersons, Chandrasekhara Rao alleged that the Congress had betrayed T-people again and the bottomline of Chidambaram’s announcement was that they put the creation of Telangana State on the backburner. He criticised that the announcement did not mention any time frame for the wide range of consultations.``With whom would the Centre hold consultations?’’ he wanted to know.The TRS president said that the proposed rally in Warangal tomorrow was cancelled.All public representatives right from the ward member to Parliament member will resign tomorrow.Rao questioned Chief Minister K Rosaiah why the latter was biased against Telangana. While Section 144 and 30 were not imposed and agitations were allowed in the Andhra region, the curbs were imposed in Telangana.The government was dealing with the situation in Telangana in a high-handed manner, and arrested and caned students, he said. Assuring people that the political parties were taking the movement forward, he urged them to agitate peacefully to humble the Centre. He made a special appeal to students not to end their precious lives.Congress legislator and former minister K Jana Reddy said Chidambaram’s announcement disappointed T-people. He appealed to people not to get emotional but express their protest by observing the bandh tomorrow and not to frighten any section of the society.He wanted the Centre to make another announcement making its stand clear on Telangana.Accusing the State Government of regional bias in maintaining law and order, he wanted the government and the police to maintain restraint during the bandh.The agitation would be intensified step by step, he said........

 IMPORTANT NOTE:

  

AP Congress inefficiency is proving costly. Google and Microsoft are having plans to move out of Hyderabad. Top executives of both companies are in consultation with Pune based realtors for office space. Only formation of Telangana can stop this. Dear Chidamabaram please allow Telangana and allow telugus to prosper

JAI TELANGANA --VICTORY OF EVERY TELANGANA PEOPLE

Telangana state is a reality The Centre on Wednesday night announced that the process of forming the State of Telangana would be initiated and an appropriate resolution moved in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. KCR broke his fast shortly after the announcement. more.....

Telangana region is part of  Andhra Pradesh state in southern India. It constitutes Hyderabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahaboobnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, RangaReddy and Warangal districts. Telangana region is one of the least developed regions in India. Rampant poverty, illiteracy, malnourished children, child labor, farmer suicides, unemployment, water scarcity and electricity shortage are some of the problems of this region. There are millions of people who are not fortunate enough to send their children to schools or feed their children three time a day, or provide safe drinking water to their families in this area.   We, Telangana.com, wish to have development of Telangana region on par with other parts of the state. We welcome visitors to contribute and share their ideas and help Telangana region whichever way they can..... History Main article: History of Andhra Pradesh The Telengana region was the heart of numerous dynasties. Chowmahalla Palace was home to the Nizams of Hyderabad state The Telangana region was mentioned in the Mahabharata as the Telinga Kingdom[2] which said to be inhabited by the tribe known as Telavana and said to have fought on the Pandava side in the great war of Mahabharata. It is also evident from the fact that there is Pandavula Guhalu in Warangal district (where the Pandavas spent their life in exile (Lakkha Gruham)). And, in Treta yuga, it is believed that Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, spent their life in exile at Parnashala on the banks of Godavari river which is about 25 km from Bhadrachalam in Khammam District of Telangana. Telangana region has been heartland for many great dynasties like Sathavahanas, Kakatiyas. In fact, Kotilingala in Karimnagar is the first Capital of the Sathavahanas before shifting to Dharanikota. Excavations at Kotilingala revealed this fact and coinage of Simukha, Satavahana emperor found. Telangana came under Muslim rule in 14th century for the first time by Delhi Sultanate followed by Bahmanis, Qutb Shahis and Mughals. As the Mughal Empire began to disintegrate in the early 18th century, the Muslim Asafjahi dynasty established a separate state known as Hyderabad. Later Hyderabad entered into a treaty of subsidiary alliance with the British Empire, and was the largest and most populous princely state in India. Telangana was never under direct British rule, unlike Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, which were part of British India's Madras Presidency. Post-independence history India became independent from the British Empire in 1947. The Nizam of Hyderabad wanted to retain his independence, but the Indian Government amalgamated his state of Hyderabad by force on September 17, 1948 after the successful execution of Operation Polo by the Indian Army. When India became independent, the Telugu-speaking people were distributed in about 22 districts; 9 of them in the Telangana region of Nizam's Dominions (Hyderabad State), 12 in the Madras Presidency and one in French-controlled Yanam. A Communist led peasant revolt started in 1946, lasted until 1951. Meanwhile, Telugu speaking areas were carved out of an erstwhile Madras state by popular agitation by the leaders like Potti Sri Ramulu to create Andhra state in 1953.[citation needed] Merger of Telangana and Andhra In December 1953, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru appointed the States Reorganization Commission to prepare for the creation of states on linguistic lines. This was headed by Justice Fazal Ali and the commission itself was also known as the Fazal Ali Commission. The efforts of this commission were overseen by Govind Ballabh Pant, who served as Home Minister from December 1954. The commission created a report in 1955 recommending the reorganisation of India's states. The States Reorganization Commission (SRC) was not in favour of merging the Telangana region with the then Andhra state. Para 382 of States Reorganization Commission Report (SRC) said "..opinion in Andhra is overwhelmingly in favour of the larger unit, public opinion in Telangana has still to crystallize itself. Important leaders of public opinion in Andhra themselves seem to appreciate that the unification of Telangana with Andhra, though desirable, should be based on a voluntary and willing association of the people and that it is primarily for the people of Telangana to take a decision about their future...". The concerns of Telanganas were manifold . The region had a less developed economy than Andhra, but with a larger revenue base (mostly because it taxed rather than prohibited alcoholic beverages), which Telanganas feared might be diverted for use in Andhra. They also feared that planned dam projects on the Krishna and Godavari rivers would not benefit Telangana proportionately even though Telanganas controlled the headwaters of the rivers. Telanganas feared too that the people of Andhra would have the advantage in jobs, particularly in government and education. Para 386 of States Reorganization Commission Report (SRC) said "After taking all these factors into consideration we have come to the conclusions that it will be in the interests of Andhra as well as Telangana area is to constitute into a separate State, which may be known as the Hyderabad State with provision for its unification with Andhra after the general elections likely to be held in or about 1961 if by a two thirds majority the legislature of the residency Hyderabad State expresses itself in favor of such unification." The central government decided to ignore the SRC recommendations and established unified Andhra Pradesh on November 1, 1956. However, a "Gentlemen's agreement" provided reassurances to the Telangana people as well to Andhra people in terms of power sharing as well as administrative domicile rules and distribution of expenses of various regions. This agreement is known as Gentlemen's agreement of Andhra Pradesh (1956). Separate Telangana state movement 1969 Movement In the following years after the formation of Andhra Pradesh state, however, the Telangana people had a number of complaints about how the agreements and guarantees were implemented. Discontent with the 1956 Gentleman's agreement intensified in January 1969 when the guarantees that had been agreed on were supposed to lapse. Student agitation for the continuation of the agreement began at Osmania University in Hyderabad and spread to other parts of the region. Government employees and opposition members of the state legislative assembly swiftly threatened "direct action" in support of the students. This movement, also known as Telangana movement, led to widespread violence and deaths of hundreds of people and students of this Telangana region. Approximately 360 students gave their lives in this movement.[3] Although the Congress faced dissension within its ranks, its leadership stood against additional linguistic states, which were regarded as "anti-national." As a result, defectors from the Congress, led by M. Chenna Reddy, founded the Telangana People's Association (Telangana Praja Samithi). Despite electoral successes, however, some of the new party leaders gave up their agitation in September 1971 and, much to the disgust of many separatists, rejoined the safer political haven of the Congress ranks.[4] Movement in 1990-2004 The emotions and forces generated by the movement were not strong enough, however, for a continuing drive for a separate state until 1990s when Bharatiya Janata Party, promised a separate Telangana state if they came to power. But the BJP could not create a separate Telangana state because of the opposition from its coalition partner, Telugu Desam Party. These developments brought new life into the separatist Telangana movement by year 2000. Congress party MLAs from the Telangana region, supported a separate Telangana state and formed the Telangana Congress Legislators Forum.[5][6][7][8][9] In another development, a new party called Telangana Rashtra Samithi (or TRS) was formed with the single point agenda of creating a separate Telangana state, with Hyderabad as its capital lead by Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao popularily known as KCR.[10][11][12] Proponents of a separate Telangana state feel.. all the agreements, accords, formulas, plans and assurances on the floor of legislature and Lok Sabha, in last 50+ years, could not be honoured and Telangana was forced to remain neglected, exploited and backward. The experiment to remain as one State proved to be a futile exercise and therefore, separation is found to be the best solution.[13][14][15] 2004 and later Flag of TRS In 2004, for Assembly and Parliament elections, the Congress party and the TRS had an electoral alliance in the Telangana region with the promise of a separate Telangana State.[16] Congress came to power in the state and formed a coalition government at the centre. TRS joined the coalition government in 2004 and was successful in making a separate Telangana state a part of the common minimum program (CMP) of the coalition government.[17] In September 2006 TRS withdrew support for the Congress led coalition government at the centre on the grounds of indecision by the government over the delivery of its electoral promise to create Telangana.[18][19][20] In December 2006, the TRS won the by-election to the Karimnagar parliamentary constituency with a record margin.[21] There was pressure on the Congress party to create a Telangana state in 2008.[22][23][24] All TRS legislators in Parliament and in State (4MPs, 16MLAs, 3MLCs) resigned in the 1st week of March 2008 and forced by-elections to increase the pressure on Congress party, and to intensify the movement.[25][26] By-elections for the 16 MLA seats, 4 MP seats were held May 29, 2008. During the election campaign the TRS party said it is a referendum on a Telangana state but both Congress and TDP parties said it is not a referendum on Telangana and also said that they are not opposed to the formation of Telangana state.[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] To the disappointment of Telangana proponents TRS retained only 7 out of 16 MLA seats and 2 out of 4 MP seats after the by-elections.[37] In June 2008, Devender Goud, who is considered number two in the TDP, a politbureau member and Deputy Leader of the Telugu Desam Legislature Party, resigned from the party saying he would devote his time and energy to the formation of a separate Telangana state.[38] In July 2008, Mr Goud along with some other leaders like Mr. E Peddi Reddy formed a new party called Nava Telangana Praja Party.[39] On 9 October 2008, in a historical turnaround from its 26-year history TDP announced its support for the creation of Telengana.[40] Symbolic declaration of statehood The Nava Telangana Party, led by the former home minister of Andhra Pradesh, T Devender Goud, declared Telangana as a separate province within India on November 2, 2008. Konda Laxman Bapuji announced that "We solemnly declare statehood for Telangana on November 2, 2008." Goud released ten pigeons in the air symbolising the ten districts of the region, while he also unfurled the national flag on the occasion. Along with his party activists he was later arrested when they tried to barge into the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat to change the name plate -— from Andhra Pradesh to Telangana. A scuffle then followed between the police and the NTP workers before the party workers were taken to the Chikkadapalli police station. Other NTP workers soon descended on the scene and staged a dharna to protest against the arrest.[41] 2009 and later Ahead of the 2009 General Elections in India all the major parties in Andhra Pradesh supported Telangana state.[42] The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) again announced their policy of having smaller states and will create 2 more states Telangana and Gorkhaland if they win the election.[43] When the BJP was last in power, they created Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarkhand. They suggest smaller states create more competition for investment and are better governed. Congress Party still says it is committed to Telangana statehood.[44] But it did not create any new states during its rule over the last 5 years, not did it have a convincing answer to why it could not create Telangana state.[45] Also it claims Muslim minorities are opposed to creation of separate state along with majority people...[46][47] Telugu Desam Party(TDP) promised to work for Telangana statehood. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) joined a Mahakutami(or grand alliance) with TDP and left parties to defeat congress party for denying statehood for Telangana.[48][49][50] Praja Rajyam Party(PRP), newly founded by film star Chiranjeevi, too supports Telangana statehood. Nava Telangana Party merged with PRP after it realized that there is not enough political space for two sub-regional Telangana parties with Telananga statehood as main agenda.[51][52] Several political parties, including some Telangana congress leaders, criticized Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekahr Reddy (YSR), when he changed his stand from pro-Telangana and gave anti-Telangana statements after the polls.[53][54][55] Congress returned to power both at center and state. TRS and the grand alliance lost the elections in overwhelming fashion.[56] In the first week of Dec 2009, the TRS president, K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) started a fast-unto-death demanding that the Congress party introduce a Telangana bill in the Parliament.[57][58] [59][60] [61]Student organizations, employee unions and various organizations joined the movement. [62][63] [64] [65] The decline of KCR's health has contributed to a sense of urgency for the central government to take a decision on the issue of Telangana statehood. [66] On Dec 9th 2009, 11:30 PM, Mr. P. Chidambaram, Union Minister of Home Affairs, on behalf of the Government of India announced that a resolution in the Andhra Pradesh assembly for the creation of a separate Telangana state will be passed. Mr. Chidambaram also informed that process for the formation of a separate Telangana state will be initiated soon. KCR ending his 11 day fast said from his hospital bed that this a true victory of the people of Telangana.. [67]. On Dec 10, Thursday, Indian government has agreed to start the process of forming a separate Telangana. Geography Telangana region marked in white within the state of Andhra Pradesh. Of the three regions of the state, Telangana has the largest area, with 1,14,800 km2 yet much of the land is arid and not nearly as fertile as the agriculturally rich coastal region. The Telangana plateau is drained by two major rivers, theGodavari and the Krishna. The entire region is divided into two main regions namely ghats and peneplains. The surface is dotted with low depressions. Irrigation Telangana region Andhra Pradesh is situated in the central stretch of the eastern seaboard of the Indian Peninsula. Deccan plateau is situated at a high altitude in an up-land area. The river Godavari is flowing on the North and the river Krishna is flowing on the South. Apart from the major rivers, there are other small rivers such as Bhima, Dindi, Kinnerasani, Manjeera, Manair, Penganga, Praanahita, and Peddavagu and Taliperu. Culture and Identity Hyderabadi Biryani Centuries of independent existence has given Telangana its own distinctive culture and identity. The Telugu language spoken here has evolved into a new dialect with a liberal mixture of words from Urdu and Marathi. Festivals: Diwali, Dassera, Eid-ul-Fitr and Ugadi are prominent festivals in Telangana. The region celebrates distinctive festivals like Bathukamma, and Bonalu. The other festivals, such as, Deepawali, Holi, Moharram and Vinayaka chaturthi are also celebrated with equal enthusiasm as in northern India. The national festival Sankranti is also celebrated in the beginning of harvest season on 14 January every year. Places of interest Golkonda fort overlooking Hyderabad Osman Sagar, Gandipet Lake Hyderabad Charminar - the iconic 400 year-old landmark of Hyderabad, featuring four graceful minarets. Falaknuma Palace - Built by Nawab Viqar al-Umra', a beautiful and stunning piece of architecture. Golconda Fort - located on the outskirts of the city, Golconda Fort is one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India. Salar Jung Museum - houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world. Makkah Masjid - a stone-built mosque, one of the largest in India, located next to the Charminar. Birla Mandir - An elaborate white marble temple with majestic views of the city and the Husain Sagar (lake). Birla Planetarium - located in the heart of the city on the panoramic hillock of Nawbat Pahad. Husain Sagar - man-made lake that separates the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Durgam Cheruvu - A beautiful lake near HI-TEC city. Chilkur Balaji Temple, also known as Visa Balaji Temple Osman Sagar, also known as Gandipet, is a lake near the city. Purani Haveli - The former official residence of the Nizam. Sanghi Temple - A temple dedicated to Venkateshwara which graces a promontory overlooking Sanghi Nagar. Mahankali Temple - A temple located near Secunderabad Railway station, Famous for Bonalu Fest in Hyderabad. Snow World - An amusement park which enables citizens of this tropical city to experience very low temperatures and snow Madhapur - Home to the IT world of Hyderabad. Nagarjuna sagar on krishna river in Nalgonda district Sreeramsagar project on Godavari river in Nizamabad district Beechupally (Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple) Alampoor (one of the eighteen shaktipeetams) Warangal, capital city of Kakatiyas Warangal Fort, Built by Kakatiyas between 11-12th centuries Warangal - Bhadrakali Temple, and Thousand Pillared Temples, These two temples built by Kakatiyas are visited by People from all over AP Warangal - Ramappa Temple, Famous for its brilliant Kakatiya art Warangal - Pakhal Lake, A man-made lake built in 1213 by the Kakatiya king, Ganapathideva, by harnessing a small tributary of the Krishna River. It is located 50 km from Warangal and spreads over an area of 30 km. Basara Saraswathi Temple, a temple of Saraswati, one of the two temples in India Temple Web site National forests and Wildlife Sanctuaries: Pakhala, Eturunagaram, Pranahitha, Kinnerasani, kawal, Pocharam Anathagiri Forest - Famous for Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy located on Ananthagiri Hills Temple website (Vikarabad - 70 km from Hyderabad) Medak: Famous for out standing church & Medak khila Pillala Marri: A big tree which is spread across 5 acres in Mahaboob Nagar district Bhadrachalam: Famous for Lord Rama Temple Yadagirigutta: Famous Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, 50 km from Hyderabad (Wgl-Hyd highway) Kaleshwaram : 130 km from Karimnagar Dharmapuri : On the banks of River Godavari, 78 km from Karimnagar, is the 15th century temple town of Dharmapuri. Nagunur Fort : The village of Nagunur is just about 8 km from Karimnagar Town. Dhulikatta : 20 km from Karimnagar is Dhulikatta an important Buddhist spot visited by monks from all over the world. Kondagattu :About 35 km from Karimnagar is this breathtaking temple of Lord Anjaneya Swamy. Apart from the temple, the fort of Kondalaraya & Bojjapotana caves are worth seeing at Kondagattu. Molangoor Quilla : 30 km from Karimnagar, strategically located on summit of a big isolated granite hill, this fort was built by the Kakathiyas. Manthani : is an extremely ancient center for Vedic teachings. It is located on the banks of River Godavari, and at a distance of 70 kilometers from Karimnagar. Vemulawada - Rajarajeshawara Temple: Located 38 km from Karimnagar Uma Maheshwaram - About 120 km from Hyderabad on Srisailam highway. It is the North Entrance for Sri Sailam Mallikarjuna swamy temple. It is famous for its shiva temple. Gadwal Fort, Gadwal is built around a fort built by the Gadwal ruler somanadri

ONLINE TRAIDING

Diwali: Festival of Lights

Light Up Your Life!

Deepawali or Diwali is certainly the biggest of all Hindu festivals. It’s the festival of lights (deep = light and avali = a row i.e., a row of lights) that’s marked by four days of celebration, which literally illumines the country with its brilliance and dazzles all with its joy. Each of the four days in the festival of Diwali is separated by a different tradition, but what remains true and constant is the celebration of life, its enjoyment and goodness.



Historically, the origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest . However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali. Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. Whereas in Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day. In Jainism, Deepawali has an added significance to the great event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss of nirvana. Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.

These Four Days
Each day of Diwali has it’s own tale, legend and myth to tell. The first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the second day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the tyrant Bali, and banished him to hell. Bali was allowed to return to earth once a year, to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance, and spread the radiance of love and wisdom. It is on the third day of Deepawali – Kartika Shudda Padyami that Bali steps out of hell and rules the earth according to the boon given by Lord Vishnu. The fourth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj) and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

The Significance of Lights & Firecrackers
All the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. According to one belief, the sound of fire-crackers are an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty after the rains.

The Tradition of Gambling
The tradition of gambling on Deepawali also has a legend behind it. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva, and she decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuing year.

From Darkness into Light…
In each legend, myth and story of Deepawali lies the significance of the victory of good over evil; and it is with each Deepawali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts, that this simple truth finds new reason and hope. From darkness unto light – the light that empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds, that which brings us closer to divinity. During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India and the scent of incense sticks hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of fire-crackers, joy, togetherness and hope. Outside India, Diwali is more than a Hindu festival, it’s a celebration of South-Asian identities. If you are away from the sights and sounds of Diwali, light a diya, sit quietly, shut your eyes, withdraw the senses, concentrate on this supreme light and illuminate the soul.



10 Reasons to Celebrate Diwali – The Festival of Lights is for All



Why do we celebrate Diwali? It’s not just the festive mood in the air that makes you happy, or just that it’s a good time to enjoy before the advent of winter. There are 10 mythical and historical reasons why Diwali is a great time to celebrate. And there are good reasons not just for Hindus but also for all others to celebrate this great Festival of Lights.

1. Goddess Lakshmi’s Birthday: The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi.
2. Vishnu Rescued Lakshmi: On this very day (Diwali day), Lord Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as Vaman-avtaara rescued Lakshmi from the prison of King Bali and this is another reason of worshipping Ma Larkshmi on Diwali.
3. Krishna Killed Narakaasur: On the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakaasur and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival.
4. The Return of the Pandavas: According to the great epic ‘Mahabharata’, it was ‘Kartik Amavashya’ when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling). The subjects who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps.
5. The Victory of Rama: According to the epic ‘Ramayana’, it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Ram, Ma Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before.
6. Coronation of Vikramaditya: One of the greatest Hindu King Vikramaditya was coroneted on the Diwali day, hence Diwali became a historical event as well.
7. Special Day for the Arya Samaj: It was the new moon day of Kartik (Diwali day) when Maharshi Dayananda, one of the greatest reformers of Hinduism and the founder of Arya Samaj attained his nirvana.
8. Special Day for the Jains: Mahavir Tirthankar, considered to be the founder of modern Jainism also attained his nirvana on Diwali day.
9. Special Day for the Sikhs: The third Sikh Guru Amar Das institutionalized Diwali as a Red-Letter Day when all Sikhs would gather to receive the Gurus blessings. In 1577, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar was laid on Diwali. In 1619, the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind, who was held by the Mughal Emperor Jahengir, was released from the Gwalior fort along with 52 kings.
10. The Pope’s Diwali Speech: In 1999, Pope John Paul II performed a special Eucharist in an Indian church where the altar was decorated with Diwali lamps, the Pope had a ‘tilak’ marked on his forehead and his speech was bristled with references to the festival of light.

Wish you a happy Diwali!

BHUVAN EARTH

Bhuvan Earth, Bhuvan Download, Bhuvan ISRO

• Posted by Kiran kumar in Earth

ISRO,Indian space & research organization has launched Bhuvan, a satellite mapping tool similar to Google Earthand Wikimapia.

Bhuvan was launched on 12th August 2009.

Bhuvan offers resolution up to 5 metres and is said to be a competitor to Google Earth.

“Bhuvan will be able to give you an image from only 10 meters away”, isro spokesman said.

Check the Official site www.bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in

Bhuvan can take closer pictures of the Indian Subcontinent as compared to the Google Earth.

Instructions to Download Bhuvan

Click link http://bhuvan2.nrsc.gov.in/Bhuvan/WebClient/PresentationLayer/WebClient/index.aspx

Step 1: Open link
Step 2: Register
Step 3: Login
Step 4: Download plugin and run
Step 5: Again click Above link

Bhuvan is capable of taking a zoom level of up to 10 meters, while Google Earth features a zoom level of up to 200 meters.

“With Bhuvan we will be able to produce very local information which will be specific to only to our own country. This information available from this mapping system will be useful in addressing very local problems like floods, famines, infrastructure development, education and much more,” said ISRO chairman Dr G Madhavan Nair.

Unlike Google Earth, however the Bhuvan application will not be downloadable and will not allow users to host content in the near future. “We are not competing with Google,” said Jayaraman.

Read more: http://www.greenpacks.org/2009/08/13/bhuvan-earth-bhuvan-download-bhuvan-isro/#ixzz0Pe9UjmKe

Independence Day (India)

"At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance..... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again"

15th August is a national holiday in India. Government Offices are lit up. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs take place in all the state capitals. In the cities around the country the national flag is hoisted by politicians in their respective constituencies. In various private organisations the flag hoisting is carried out by a senior official of that organisation. Schools and colleges around the country organise flag hoisting ceremonies and various cultural events within their premises, where younger children in costume do impersonations of their favourite characters of the Independence era. Families and friends get together for lunch or dinner, or for an outing. Housing colonies, cultural centres, clubs and societies hold entertainment programmes and competitions, usually based on the Independence Day theme. Most national and regional television channels screen old and new film classis with patriotic themes on Independence Day.

American Experience: Race for the Superbomb

This two-hour documentary uncovers the U.S.-Soviet race to build the hydrogen bomb and describes the fear of destruction that ensued. More powerful than the atomic bomb, the hydrogen fusion (or "super") bomb was used as a political weapon during the Cold War. This documentary also shows the tension among American scientists of the time: Inventor Edward Teller defended the bomb as a deterrent against Soviet attack, while Robert Oppenheimer denounced it purely as a weapon for mass destruction. It was the Americans who, in 1952, tested the first super bomb; its power a thousand times greater than the atomic bomb, it vaporized an entire island in the Pacific. Eighteen months later the Soviet team exploded their first H-bomb. The nuclear arms race had begun.