Title: The Turning point of the Telangana Issue
Here we are witnessing a great page
of history marked for future generations to refer back to! The birth of the 29th
state named Telangana.
Andhra Pradesh, will now be separated into 2 states
called the Telangana and Seemnadhara (which includes Coastal Andhra and
Rayalseema). The needs will be met and the way to go is finalized. Since the
first State Re-organization committee's suggestions, Telangana never got the
attention it needed and pleaded for.
But now the stage is set, the
inhabitants of Telangana are awaiting that joyous moment for decades. While we
all watch as spectators, I haven't been able to decide my reaction to it.
On one hand, it is never a
heartening moment to see people getting broken into different communities after
having lived together for so many years. This experience will be worst for
those who live on the state border. Broken homes, separated neighbours: as if
they were never meant to be together! Why are we falling apart? Is it because
we just don't have a common identity to share and cherish? Or is it only to
create another piece called a state?
On the other hand, I believe that this
separation was much needed and essential for those who are bearing the brunt of
underdevelopment. A series of TV programme named HMTV showed how the Telangana
community felt marginalized and ignored. Their language was considered a mere
dialect. Their people were known to be just capable of relying on agrarian
jobs. Known for their water intensive paddy output, they were never given the
respect they deserved. Self dignity is a virtue of utmost value that everyone
has a right to and must not be denied of. Even a criminal is assumed to be
innocent before proven guilty then why are law-abiding citizens not being given
the esteem they are worthy of? To top it all, the Telangana community was
economically backward which dampened the progress prospects.
When such dilemmas happen, I prefer
imagining about a bright and beautiful future! So, here is how I wish Telangana
to be ten years down the line. A letter written by Sheila(living in Telangana)
to her bosom pal Romila(living in Seemandhara). Read on‼
Hey!
Long time , no see‼ the countdown for our next meeting has begun…I just
can't avoid getting excited. I ll be visiting my best friend after a year now!
Romila, I often wonder how our so called parent state got divided but we
still feel as if we belong to a common land. Despite all differences that led
to the creation of our state, I always feel equally warm and welcomed when I
enter Seemandhara. It is as if the people of our states share a pious bond that
lives on leaving the past behind!
My parents often say that they were highly skeptical about their own
future when the T-state was being culled out. While they had always wished for
an independent status, they don't regret the decision of their leaders. The
T-administration has evolved gradually into a highly organised one and aids in
the smooth functioning of our region.
The most thrilling part of our inter-state relation is the Water sports
in October! I hate to miss even one race of the season when proficient sailers
from the two states come together for friendly games. Even the ministers spare
time to witness the enthralling event of the year. You will agree that this has
helped to dissolve the tensions that existed during the finalization of the
water-sharing agreement.
Oh yes, did you read the newspaper recently? The joint innovation project
carried out by the undergraduate students of the two states won the Best
Innovation project by the National science academy! They truly deserve it. I
felt so proud to see that engineering colleges in our state are now coming at par
with the ever-so-glorious IIT's! The machine they have made is an easy-to-use
portable tubewell that will be of great help to our agripreneurs, don't you
think so?
Remember Romila, the extent of
loss of life and property that took place after the floods last year in our
state. But thanks to the immensely valuable help your state extended to the
helpless victims of the flash floods. Most of them thought they would not be
able to see the broad daylight ever again. But it was your state administration
that helped in organizing rescue operations. Your paramilitary forces worked in
great cooperation to evacuate the stranded villagers. Such gestures surely
encourage goodwill and munificence.
I still long to see a day when the two states will enter into successful
industrial partnerships. The recent tiff that occurred between the Iron and
Steel companies was upsetting and the law will show the course decided for the
two firms. Our state lags behind yours in terms of the State Gross Domestic Product
and I hope that someday both Seemandhara and Telangana walk hand in hand as
best friends like us‼
Lots of love and luck,
-
Sheila
As the Hindu beautifully expresses
that the T-state must serve a higher purpose: it must lead to higher society
inclusion rather than just new contours on our country's map! There is lot of
scope for the "two" states to collaborate in future. They would now
be sharing river waters and I can only hope that this will not bear the seeds
of a new conflict. The inhabitants of the two regions must separate peacefully
and vow to not let any of them feel wounded. The water sharing agreement must
be done in advance and with full justice in command to prevent friction later.
The Polavaram dam which was to be constructed for the coastal corridor must
continue its work. Apart from this, the separation of the land is sure to
happen but we must all remember that we still share the value of being
"Indians". Our nation is the same and we belong to the same nation.
If this belongingness is engrained in the hearts of the people on the two sides
of the border then demarcations on the map are just lines! The strong bond
connects them despite all forces that divide them. Like it is famously said,
"We are all united in our differences!"
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