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The T-Point of the T-Issue !

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.
Back in 2004, when UPA regained its seat of power, they had mentioned the statehood for Telangana in their Common Minimum Programme. The spark was burning but this issue never came up with the fervor it required.

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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