Anna Hazare - Anti-Corruption Movement

Power Situation during 1985-86 became extremely critical. The farmers were unable to lift water from the wells inspite of its availability due to insufficient voltage to run pumps. The motors were getting burnt due to fluctuations and the crops were getting affected. There was scant response from the govt. inspite of continuous follow-up. On 28th Nov. 1989 Mr. Hazare was forced to undertake fast for seeking redressal. After 8 days of his fast , his health deteriorated and was admitted in the civil hospital at Ahmednagar. As there was, no response inspite of action from his side, the farmers from three tehsils became furious and they started road block agitation. Fearing that if the agitation takes a wrong turn, something untoward may take place. He appealed to the agitators from the hospital bed that they should not resort to unfair means, damage the national property and inflict any harm to the passengers. The agitation should be peaceful. The police authorities did not expect huge participation and there was meager police force available.

However, they were proved wrong and more than 10000 men and 1200 women participated in the agitation. The agitators had offered police to take them to jail. However, since enough transport was not available with the police, the police tried to remove the road block. Due to improper treatment meted out to the agitators, there was scuffle between police and the agitators and the police resorted to lathi-charged on agitators. This action on the part of police irritated them and they pelted stones on the police force. Since the situation was going out of control, additional force was called and police opened fire on the agitators in which 4 farmers died on the spot and 7 farmers sustained severe injuries. He felt sad on hearing this news in the hospital. The agitation was meant for awakening the government and there is no harm in carrying out such agitations in democracy. He had decided to end his life during the fast itself, but Senior Officials of the government and even Ministers persuaded him to give up his fast as they feared that if agitation continues, lot many farmers may lose their life and in order to save the life of innocent farmers, he withdrew his fast.

Model Village as contemplated by Gandhiji was brought in reality by Shri Annaji at Ralegan Siddhi by his dedication. “Late Shri Achyutrao Patwardhan, the great freedom fighter, suggested to the government of Maharashtra that to commemorate the golden jubilee of Bharat Chhodo Andolan, it would be most befitting to create model villages like Ralegan Siddhi in every tehsil of the state. The government accepted this suggestion and declared to implement “Adarsh Gaon Yojana”. The Government entrusted this responsibility to him and Adarsha Gaon Yojana was started under his leadership . He travelled whole of Maharashtra and selected 300 villages to implement this scheme. While working in this scheme
he realised that development is getting hampered due to planned corruption in Govermnent machinery and he decided to fight against this corruption. He gave evidence against two ministers who had amassed wealth disproportionate to their income. However since the Govt was passive about this he started agitation and undertook fast for l0 days. Chief Minister intervened and he deleted these two ministers from ministry and appointed an Inquiry Commission. The Commission held both the ministers guilty but to save them the Govt appointed another commission who discharged them from the allegations. Though the ministers were discharged from the allegations, they had to loose their ministership which is the success of Mr.Hazare's agitation.
Mr.Hazare's gave evidence of corruption by Social Welfare Minister to the then Chief Minister. On 3lst July l999 the Chief Minister informed him that inquiry is being instituted about the charges leveled by him. He had given an interview to a local daily regarding this inquiry and based on this interview the concerned minister had filed a case in the court against Mr.Hazare for defamation. He was held guilty by the Court and the court had asked him to give an undertaking that he will not make such allegations in future.He refused to give such undertaking and preferred to go jail for 3 months as ordered by the court. He told the court that He was willing to give his life for truth. His punishment created commotion in public and scores of people started visiting Yerawada Jail.

He wanted to compelte his jail term but to give respect to the public feelings he accepted his release.In l992 Gandhji had told the court that if court feels that his actions for the freedom of the country are considered as anti government activities he was willing to undergo any punishment .Similarly he did not give bond to the court and accpeted punishment. He did not prefer any appeal against the court order immediately but due to public pressure he later made an appeal which was upheld by the Higher Court and rejected the suit of minister.Mr. Hazare asked the Govt. to conduct the inquiry against the minister which is still on.

In the regim of coaliation Government of Congress and National Congress Party, He had forwarded evidence of corruption about 4 ministers and had asked the Government to conduct inquiry. One of the ministers had made allegations about corruption in the institutions in which he was associated. Since there was no action from the Govt. he undertook fast for 9 dys in August 2003 at Azad Maidan. The minister concenred also started agitation at Azaj Maidan in Mumbai. At last the Government relented and Retired Suprement Court Judge Shri P.B. Sawant was appointed to conduct the inquiry. The commission conducted the inquiry and sent its report to Govt. on 22nd Februrary .
In the report the commission had observed ministers guilty and had held Mr.Hazare also guilty forirregularities but not a single charge of corruption was proved against him.Mr. Hazare has offered the Government that it should take action against him as well as the ministers based on the findings of the enquiry comissions.Though Govt has not taken any action on the Commission's report three ministers had to go and this is a big achievement of his agitation against corruption.

He felt that corruption will not stop merely by taking action against a few officers and ministers and it is necessary that a change should be brought about in the system, He believes that unless decentralisation of power takes place the system will not change.In order to bring change in the system he felt that information should be made available to people regarding Govt.'s actions which was not being provided to people on the ground of secracy. Here again he decided to follow Gandhiji's path and started Maun Vrat and later fast unto death. This brought pressure on the Govt. and both the Central as well as State Governments have enacted Right to Information Act. His whole life and work is based on Gandhian philosophy.

Prohibition
Alcohol has ruined many families in rural India. The existing laws did not have teeth to ban the sale of alcohol in villages. So he decided to press the government to make a law for prohibition if 50% women demanded for it. Ultimately, women are the most affected lot if their husbands are drunkards.
By the new Act, the women of any village can collectively demand for ban on sale of alcoholic drinks in the village. If a minimum of 50% of women complain to the District Collector about their sufferings and request for total prohibition in the village, the Collector can hold ballot paper election in the village. There will be two signs on the paper – one being a bottle in standing position and another being in a horizontal position. The women will cast their votes. In the evening, the votes will be counted. If more votes are in favour of ‘horizontal bottle’, then the Collector will ban the sale of alcoholic drinks in the village and cancel the license of the seller.
In many villages, the licenses have been cancelled and total prohibition came into reality after this Act. In some villages, the alcohol sellers have manipulated the election with money power.
Anyhow, this Act has supported and strengthened the women. Women have become empowered due to this act and became fearless to come in open against the alcoholism. This Act has helped in organizing the women and fight against evils for a common good. Women’s empowerment is the need of the day.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesha Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) , also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi(Tamil: விநாயக சதுர்த்தி ) is the Hindu festival of Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. It is the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 20 August and 15 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).

While celebrated all over India, it is most elaborate in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Outside India, it is celebrated widely in Nepal and by Hindus in the United States, Canada and Fiji.

 

 

 

 

History

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak

It is not known when and how Ganesh Chaturthi was first celebrated. But according to the historian Shri Rajwade, the earliest Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations can be traced back to the times of the reigns of dynasties as Satavahana, Rashtrakuta and Chalukya. Historical records reveal that Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations were initiated in Maharashtra by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the great Maratha ruler, to promote culture and nationalism. And it had continued ever since. There are also references in history to similar celebrations during Peshwa times. It is believed that Lord Ganapati was the family deity of the Peshwas. After the end of Peshwa rule, Ganesh Chaturthi remained a family affair in Maharashtra from the period of 1818 to 1892.
In 1893, Indian freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak transformed the annual festival into a large, well-organized public event.^[1]
Tilak recognized the wide appeal of the deity Ganesh as "the god for everybody",^[2][3] and popularized Ganesh Chaturthi as a national festival in order "to bridge the gap between Brahmins and 'non-Brahmins' and find a context in which to build a new grassroots unity between them", and generate nationalistic fervor among people in Maharashtra against the British colonial rule.^[4][5]
Tilak encouraged installation of large public images of Ganesh in pavilions, and also established the practice of submerging in rivers, sea, or other pools of water all public images of the deity on the tenth day after Ganesh Chaturthi.^[6]
Under Tilak's encouragement, the festival facilitated community participation and involvement in the form of intellectual discourses, poetry recitals, performances of plays, musical concerts, and folk dances. It served as a meeting ground for people of all castes and communities in times when, in order to exercise control over the population, the British discouraged social and political gatherings.

[edit] Date

The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 20 August and 15 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi. This festival is observed in the lunar month of bhadrapada shukla paksha chathurthi madhyahana vyapini purvaviddha. If Chaturthi prevails on both days, the first day should be observed. Even if chaturthi prevails for the complete duration of madhyahana on the second day, if it prevails on the previous day's madhyahana period even for one ghatika (24 minutes), the previous day should be observed.^[7]

[edit] Celebration, rituals and tradition

[edit] In India

Large idols such as this are seen all over Mumbai during the festival

Two to three months prior to Ganesh Chaturthi, artistic clay models of Lord Ganesha are made for sale by specially skilled artisans. They are beautifully decorated & depict Lord Ganesh in various poses. The size of these statues may vary from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet.
Ganesh Chaturthi starts with the installation of these Ganesh statues in colorfully decorated homes and specially erected temporary structures mandapas (pandals) in every locality. The pandals are erected by the people or a specific society or locality or group by collecting monetary contributions. The mandapas are decorated specially for the festival, either by using decorative items like flower garlands, lights, etc. or are theme based decorations, which depict religious themes or current events.
The priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, then symbolically invokes life into the statue by chanting mantras. This ritual is the Pranapratishhtha. After this the ritual called as Shhodashopachara (16 ways of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 modakas, 21 durva (trefoil) blades of grass and red flowers are offered. The statue is anointed with red unguent, typically made of Kumkum & Sandalwood paste . Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda, the Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and the Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.

Ganesh Visarjan

For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshipped. On the 11th day, the statue is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of his devotees, this is the ritual known as Ganesh Visarjan. At individual homes the Visarjan is also done on 3rd, 5th or 7th day as per the family tradition. All join in this final procession shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Pudhachya Varshi Laukar ya" (O lord Ganesha, come again speedily next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idols to the river to immerse it.
The main sweet dish during the festival is the modak (modagam or modakam in South India). A modak is a dumpling made from rice flour/wheat flour with a stuffing of fresh or dry-grated coconut, jaggery, dry fruits and some other condiments. It is either steam-cooked or fried. Another popular sweet dish is the karanji (karjikaiin Kannada) which is similar to the modak in composition and taste but has a semicircular shape.
Public celebrations of the festival are hugely popular, with local communities (mandalas) vying with each other to put up the biggest statue & the best pandal. The festival is also the time for cultural activities like singing and theater performances, orchestra and community activities like free medical checkup, blood donation camps, charity for the poor, etc.
Today, the Ganesh Festival is not only a popular festival, it has become a very critical and important economic activity for Maharashtra. Many artists, industries, and businesses survive on this mega-event. Ganesh Festival also provides a stage for budding artists to present their art to the public. The same holds true for Hyderabad and Chennai too.

[edit] Outside India

Dancers in Paris streets during the 2009 Ganesh Chaturthi festival

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the UK by the migrant Hindu population as well as the large number of Indians residing there. The Hindu culture and Heritage Society, UK - a Southall based organisation celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi for the first time in London in 2005 at The Vishwa Hindu Temple. The Idol was immersed in the river Thames at Putney Pier. Another celebration organised by an Gujarati group has been celebrated in the Southend on Sea which attracts over 18000 devotees^[8].
The festival is similarly celebrated in many locations across the world. The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, an organisation of Hindus based in the US organises many such events to mark the various Hindu festivals.
In Canada, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by various associations of Marathi speaking people. (MBM in Toronto, MSBC in Vancouver etc.).
Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mauritius dates back to 1896. The first Ganesh Chaturthi Puja was held in the 7 Cascades Valley next to Henrietta village by the Bhiwajee family who is still celebrating this pious festival for more than a century.
Over the years the festival gained such popularity on the island that Mauritian government has attributed a public holiday for that day.

[edit] Environmental impact

Lake contaminated with Plaster of Paris Ganesha idols

The most serious impact of the Ganesh festival on the natural environment is due to the immersion of icons made of Plaster of Paris into lakes, rivers and the sea. Traditionally, the Ganesh icon was sculpted out of earth taken from nearby one’s home. After worshipping the divinity in this earth icon, it was returned back to the Earth by immersing it in a nearby water body. This cycle represented the cycle of creation and dissolution in Nature.
However, as the production of Ganesh icons on a commercial basis grew, the earthen or natural clay (shaadu maati in Marathi) was replaced by Plaster of Paris. Plaster is a man made material, easier to mould, lighter and less expensive than clay. However, plaster takes much longer to dissolve and in the process of dissolution releases toxic elements into the water body. The chemical paints used to adorn these plaster icons themselves contain heavy metals like mercury and cadmium.
On the final day of the Ganesh festival thousands of plaster icons are immersed into water bodies by devotees. These increase the level of acidity in the water and the content of heavy metals.^[9] The day after the immersion, shoals of dead fish can be seen floating on the surface of the water body as a result of this sudden increase.^[10]
Several non governmental and governmental bodies have been addressing this issue. Amongst the solutions proposed by various groups some are as follows:

• Return to the traditional use of natural clay icons and immerse the icon in a bucket of water at home.^[11]
• Use of a permanent icon made of stone and brass, used every year and a symbolic immersion only.
• Recycling of plaster icons to repaint them and use them again the following year.
• Ban on the immersion of plaster icons into lakes, rivers and the sea.^[12]
• Creative use of other biodegradable materials such as paper mache to create Ganesh icons.
• Encouraging people to immerse the icons in tanks of water rather than in natural water bodies.^[13]

The God of Cricket : Sachin done it!

In 1989, during the selection of the Indian team for the tour to Pakistan, the selectors - led by the late Raj Singh Dungarpur - were faced with a tricky question. They had in their minds an outrageously talented young boy, who they were sure would represent India with distinction. The question they wrestled with was whether the boy should be thrust into the lion's den so soon. And the den couldn't have been more hostile than a tour of Pakistan, facing the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Imran Khan in their backyard, with crowds everywhere baying for the blood of the Indians.

Would selecting the boy for the tour be the right decision? Would it leave him with mental scars that would retard his development? Would they be risking a potentially world-beating future for a tenuous present?

The selectors then were each nominated from different zones in the country. As they debated the question - so the story goes - two of the selectors thought the boy was ready, and two of them wanted to wait.

The ones who wanted to wait had the valid question: "What if the tour proves to be too much? What if he fails?"

On hearing this, another selector turned to the fifth man in the room, who had not expressed his opinion yet. This was the West Zone selector who had seen the boy blitz all comers across all playing divisions. The words he is supposed to have said sealed the deal in favour of selection, though none of the five men could have known just what they were about to unleash into the cricket world.

The selector from the West Zone simply said: "Gentlemen, Sachin Tendulkar does not fail."

And he hasn't - for twenty years and counting.

Batman puts on a cape, Spiderman wears a costume, Superman sheds his normal clothes to reveal his true self - Sachin Tendulkar needs only to pick up a bat in hand to be a superhero.

This is not an attempt to dissect the man statistically. It is not an attempt to provide expert views on his cricket. It is not an attempt to add to the paeans being sung about him as the cricketing world celebrates twenty years of excellence.

This is simply an intensely personal view by a fan of a man who remained a hero from boyhood to adolescence and beyond.

What do twenty years mean to a fan? It means a vignette of images that Tendulkar has left us with.

From running around in a playground during the 1992 World Cup and yelling, "India beat Pakistan. Tendulkar is the man of the match!" to remembering the headline that announced that Tendulkar had scored his second ODI century after taking an inordinate amount of time to score his first - a headline that said, "Rutherford Ruthless, Parore Roars, but Tendulkar, Prabhakar steal the limelight."

From getting excited in 1994 when he made his then-highest Test score of 179 to feeling cheated when he was not awarded the Man-of-the-series in the 1996 World Cup for being the highest and classiest scorer in the tournament. From remembering the painful struggle he went through as captain in 1997 - when he had to battle not only opponents but officials as well - to feeling exhilarated throughout much of 1998, as the destroyer in Tendulkar returned to quell not just Australians but sandstorms too on an unforgettable night in Sharjah. From having our hearts broken along with his when he miscued a Saqlain doosra in the Chennai Test of 1999 to having our faith in the game restored during the match-fixing scandal, when it was revealed that bookies would take bets on Indian matches only after he got out.

From remembering the 2003 World Cup as an image forever frozen of Tendulkar cutting Shoaib Akhtar over third-man for maximum to shaking our heads in disbelief in 2004 at the amazing self-control and discipline of a man who did not play a single cover drive in an innings of 241 not out.

From exulting with him at burying the ghost of 'finishing' matches for India in the CB series in 2008 to the sharing his solemn joy and humility at bringing a Test victory to the nation immediately after his city had been ravaged by scum towards the end of the year.

As the years rolled by, we got used to a different Tendulkar, and his 2003 heroics seemed the last time he would throw back the years and bat as he had in his youth. His average and strike rates didn't suffer, but he had made a subtle shift from run-plunderer to intelligent accumulator. And then, as he so often has in the past, he showed us that the plunderer still remained in a knock that was as inspiring as it was heart-breaking.

Through proxy-wars and floods, through terrorist attacks and droughts, through living under corrupt politicians and battling for survival at work or school - through it all, it was one man that brought us hope. One man who needed only to wield a bat to unite the most diverse country in the world. A hero who did not need a script, arc-lights and endless retakes to have the audience gasping in awe, but played out his dramas in real-time.

And yet, even he has fallen short of universal acclaim. His knock of 175, and others like it in his career when he led India to the doorstep of victory but fell short of actually marching in only to see his team-mates fail around him, has been the catalyst for re-igniting the debate about whether he has won enough matches for India. The analyst in me wants to examine the question using all kinds of criteria and statistics, but for today he has been banished by the fan. And a good thing too, because it is with a fan's eyes that I can see what I wouldn't otherwise. It is his failures as much as his success that brings him closer to us. Without them, he would have been the perfect man - so perfect that we would have been forced to admire him from afar. But when he perishes at the doorstep of victory, we bleed with him. And we are reminded that even though he performs superhero-like deeds, he is still human.

The sages who seek silence to meditate go to the loneliest reaches of the planet to achieve it. But if they were looking for that unreal moment when there is a silence so pervading that you could hear a feather drop, they need to attend a match in India when Sachin Tendulkar plays. Most of the time, when he bats the noise will be deafening. But when gets out, as he must because he is mortal, they will hear the most deafening silence that it is possible to hear. And they will hear it in a stadium jam-packed with frenzied fans who have all come to pay homage to their God.

Even in defeat, Sachin Tendulkar weaves miracles.

Sachin done it! A full and wide ball, he dabs it wide of point to complete his 200, becoming the first player ever to score a double ton in an ODI...what a magnificent player! No words are enough to describe this man...

Sammakka Sarakka Jathara – The Biggest Tribal Festival of Telangana in Asia

 Sammakka Sarakka Jatara, also known as Medaram Jatara, is the magnificent fair celebrations in Telagana region of Andhra Pradesh. It is the second largest religious congregation after the Maha Kumbh Mela with about 7 million pilgrims attending the jatara.
 
This jatara is held once in two years at Medaram village located at about 110 km from Warangal city, Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh. The jatara is held for three days before Magha Purnima (January-February). In the year 2010, jatara starts on 27th January and ends on 30th January 2010.
 
The Legend of Sammakka Sarakka:
The story of Samakka Sarakka has history of 700 years when King Prathaparudra of Kakatiya dynasty used to rule the place. The tribals named Koya tribals used to live in that region and once they happened to find a baby girl playing with a tigress in the midst of forest. The mysterious girl was named ‘Sammakka.’ She was radiant having many powers. In her presence the village was flourishing and soon she became popular for her wish granting powers. She was married to headman of the neighboring village and had a daughter named Sarakka.
At one time there occurred a famine for continuous four years and people were not able to pay their taxes. Pagidda Raju, the subordinate ruler to the King Prathaparudra refused to pay tax and this led to war between the two rulers. During this fight the whole tribal community of the village was involved and Sammakka’s husband and daughter were injured by the fighters. Seeing this Sammakka became very furious and fought with warriors with great strength. Seeing fiery power all warriors were shattered and terrorized. She cursed Kakatiya that dynasty will perish and by doing so she disappeared in forest.
Koyas searched for Samakka and but found only bangles and few pug-marks of a tigress. They revered her as goddesses who had great power to protect the village. In due course of time Kakatiya dynasty was invaded and destroyed by Muslims. But even now the village of Medaram and tribals exist. The tribals of this region have been holding the fair in memory of Samakka and her daughter Sarakka to pursue her blessings upon them, seeking her protection.
Celebrations: A large sea of humans is seen at Medaram. Hundreds of buses and thousands of carts head towards the village. Sammakka goddess is brought from village Chilukalagutta and Sarakka is brought from village Kanneboyinapalle, in form of vermilion and placed on a platforms called Gaddelu. Thousands of people take holy dip at the Jampanna vagu before proceeding to the shrines of Sammakka Sarakka.

A special ritual of weighing against jagerry, called as Bangaram, is observed in the jatara where the person offers his weight jaggery to the goddesses. Thousands of cocks and goats are sacrificed on the name of deities. People dress in colorful attires and sing glories of Sammakka and Sarakka. Media and television telecasts the events in the jatara.

History

One day, seven centuries ago, the tribals were hunting deep in the forest where they saw a female child surrounded by glorious glow, divine light and secured by tigers and lions. The tribal’s elders (Koya doralu) brought the child to the village. From that day, the village started seeing lot of prosperity and happiness. The tribal elders felt that their god Kondadevara (tribal god) had come to them as the child. In a ritual ceremony they named her as "Sammakka". Sammakka was fearless and rode on tigers and lions. She granted wishes to childless couples and cured people suffering form various chronic diseases. Her divine powers to grant wishes soon made her popularity spread through out the province. When Sammakka attained juvenile age, she was married to one Pagididda Raju, the ruler of Medaram village. They were blessed with one son and two daughters named Jampanna, Saralamma and Nagulamma, respectively.
During that period Emperor Prathaparudra, belonging to the Kakatiya dynasty, was the ruler of the vast Kakatiya kingdom. The kingdom's capital city was "Orugallu", now known as Warangal. Pagididda Raju was ruling the Medaram province as a subordinate king in the Kakatiya dynasty. Once a severe famine occurred in the province that lasted for four years. The famine devastated almost the entire population in the province. As a result, the people were not in a situation to pay their taxes. So, Pagididda Raju refused to pay tax to the Kakatiya emperor. This was not agreeable to the Emperor and he decided to wage a war against the province under the command of his Lieutenant Yugandarudu.
The tribal warriors prepared for war and were not afraid of the massive enemy forces. They fought the Kakatiya soldiers with great courage and ferocity. Thousands fell dead with their heads chopped off and blood flowed like a river and mixed with the waters of the Sampenga Vagu. The skilled but severely outnumbered tribal warriors were easily crushed by the strength of the Kakatiya army. Sammakka’s husband Pagididda Raju, son-in-law Govindaraju laid their victorious lives in the battle. Ashamed of all this, Jampanna sacrificed his life by jumping in to Sampenga Vagu. Due to this, the vagu became to be known as as Jampanna Vagu.
On hearing the shocking news of the deaths of her loved ones and many tribal warriors, Sammakka didn’t lose her courage, but readied herself for entering the battle. Wearing a kavacham (a metal plate, worn to protect the front side of trunk) and holding a sword she attacked the enemy forces. Showing her divine powers she shattered and terrorised the Kakatiya army that was confident of its victory. But, suddenly a Kakatiya soldier came and hit and stabbed Sammakka from behind. Sammakka killed the soldier behind her and quickly tied the wound with a cloth and fled away on a horse from the battlefield thinking that 'if her blood fell on the land, the land would become barren and never give any fruit'. She fled to the east of the Medaram village and disappeared.
After the battle, the tribals searched for Sammakka in the forest. They found a Kumkum (vermilion) Barinay (a tiny box to keep the vermillion) at a snake burrow in the shade of a Naga vruksham (tree). Tribals felt that their goddess Sammakka has turned in to a Kumkum Barinay. Ever since, once in every two years, on the day of "Magha Shuddha Purnima" the tribal women celebrate a festival at the place where the Kumkum Barinay was found. The tree was later cut off by the tribals who transformed it in to a symbol of Sammakka and built a gadde (platform). They also built another gadde) for Sammakka’s daughter Saralamma. They worship Deyyala Madugu thinking it to be Jampanna. Some pilgrims see a snake in the burrow of Ippa Chettu (tree), which is beside the Sammakka’s platform and believe that it is Sammakka’s husband Pagididda Raju.
People believe that the goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma fulfill their wishes with their divine and miraculous powers. Childless couples come to visit and pray the goddess to bless them with children.
Many pilgrims pay back their promises during the Jatara by offering Jaggery, calf, coconuts and donations in cash, etc. Pilgrims take bath in the Jampanna Vagu to get purified and get absolved from sins.

 The Ritual

Sammakka Sarakka Jatara is the time for the largest tribal religious congregation in the world, held every two years (biennually), with approximately six million people converging on the place, over a a period of three days, which is 90 km from Warangal city.
People offer bangaram (jaggery) of a quantity equal to their weight to the goddesses. Countless bullock carts congregate at the festival.

 Tribal spirit

Things have not changed much there since the Kakatiya times; about 1000 years from now in the past. The lack of involvement of the government has, however, helped the festival by and large retain its original spirit. It is a festival with no vedic or brahmanic influence. Goats and hens are sacrificed in thousands and a lot of liquor is consumed. The rituals performed during the festival unfurl the tribal spirit in its purest form. The very fact of the survival and thriving of this ancient tribal festival, in the face of several adversities, is a testimony of the indomitable resolve, honesty, uprightness and courage of the Girijans.
Until 1998, the only way to reach Medaram was by a bullock cart. Other than the four days of the biennial festival, there was not a single soul seen moving around in the area. It was a desolate place with no road or proper transportation. It was only in 1998 that the state government declared the 1000-yr old festival as official and laid down a motorable road.
In 2008, nearly 8 million people were estimated to have attended the festival. This fair is said to be the largest repeating congregation of tribal communities in the world. The traffic jam during the festival sometimes goes as far as 60 km on the Warangal highway.

Chinese Hacking War

'Truce' in US-China hacking war

The Chinese hackers left calling cards at hundreds of sites

Computer hackers in China have called a halt to their online war with internet users from the United States. The so-called Honker Union of China - an informal union of Chinese hackers - says it has successfully attacked more than a thousand United States websites.
Now, the hackers say they have reached their goal and are calling a truce.

Any attacks from this point on have no connection to the Honker Union

Honker Union of China

The cyberwar began after a mid-air collision between a US spyplane and a Chinese fighter aircraft on 1 April. The Chinese plane crashed into the sea killing its pilot while the US plane and its crew of 24 was held by China. The crew was released 11 days later.
As the US crew were still being held, US hackers broke into hundreds of Chinese sites, leaving messages such as "We will hate China forever and we will hack its sites".

A hacker accesses a Chinese government website

In response, the Honker Union announced it would launch its own electronic graffiti blitz. Tit-for-tat web defacements followed, causing damage to sites run in both countries. At the time, the Honker Union called on Chinese software engineers to increase internet security on Chinese websites, which had been attacked by American hackers.
Correspondents say companies from both countries scrambled to patch up security systems and to temporarily shut down web sites deemed a security risk.

Because of this incident, network security in China will see great improvement. At least more people will become serious about building up network security

Gao Yongan, an executive at the Beijing-based network security firm NSFocus

A statement by the Honker Union, carried by Chinese portal Chinabyte, says: "Any attacks from this point on have no connection to the Honker Union."
The Honker Union of China statement called for improving network security in China, and said that the sites that were violated were mostly small.
"Because of this incident, network security in China will see great improvement. At least more people will become serious about building up network security," the statement said.
Gao Yongan, an executive at the Beijing-based network security firm NSFocus, said many web sites would be vulnerable to hacker attacks until network administrators tightened up the security of their servers.
Most hacker attacks, including web site defacements, are made through a chain of passive servers that act as springboards.
Mr Yongan, who claims to be a reformed hacker, said: "The only way to solve this problem is to improve the global network safety level, and to make sure that no computers are available for attackers to use."

TELANGANA SITUATION

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