Sharing the Crown?

So the last word is yet to be pronounced. After the decision of the CWC on July 30 to divide Andhra Pradesh, there was jubilation in Telangana that their dream of 56 years had come true. But hell was let loose in Seemandhra with the protestors pulling down and setting fire to statues of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Even the statues of Gandhiji were not spared.

When people go hysterical, nothing can stop them, there is definitely a sense of loss among the people of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. It isn’t just about language and culture, it isn’t about Hyderabad and investments, but it is also deeply emotional. An entire generation is born, and lived together in united Andhra Pradesh since 1956, so it’s definitely sentiments and emotions. Separation is painful, especially when long-time friends and neighbours are cut off for the sake of satisfying the politicians’ greed and hunger for power.

Even after the CWC decision was approved by the Union Cabinet, a four-member high-level committee headed by Defence Minister A K Antony has been appointed to wipe the tears and douse the fires in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. St Antony, as he is called for his honesty, integrity and persuasive nature, has a great role in pacifying all sections and take the bifurcation decision to its logical conclusion and see that the transition takes place in a smooth and peaceful manner.

The leaders and people of Seemandhra seem to be reconciling to the fact that division is inevitable and all the fuss is now on the status of Hyderabad. Hyderabad is the crown of Andhra Pradesh as its capital. With Hyderabad going to Telangana, Andhra will be like a king who has lost the crown. In separation, usually the parent state keeps the capital, but in this case it is vice versa.

The industrialists and businessmen from Andhra are estimated to have invested Rs 5 lakh crore in Hyderabad. The bulk of investments came since 1995 when the city emerged as an IT hub, triggering an infrastructure boom with unprecedented increase in real estate prices. The worst-hit following the bifurcation will be the real estate sector which is already showing signs if slowdown. Seemandhra will have to build a capital city of its own within 10 years. It may build a heaven on earth, still Hyderabad will be matchless. Hyderabad, like Rome, is not built in one day. It has a history of 422 years.

The magnificent city is an important centre of Islamic culture and is culturally more like Agra and Delhi, the splendid Mughal cities, instead of other cities of the south. Even today, the medieval flavour and old world charm prevails in the Old City and the grandeur of the bygone era is aptly reflected in the numerous monuments built in unique architectural styles. The Golconda Fort, Charminar, Qutub Shashi Tombs, Chowmahalla Palace, Mecca Masjid, Falaknuma Palace, the State Assembly Building and the Salar Jung Museum are some of the innumerable art and architectural legacies left behind by the Nizams

This fifth major metropolis of the country known for its cosmopolitan outlook has a conspicuous presence of several international organizations like the Max Muller Bhavan, the Alliance Francaise, the American Studies Research Centre, the International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the Indo-Soviet Friendship Society, and Indo-Japanese Friendship Organisation, which lend a distinct international flavor to the city.

It is also a major educational centre of the country, with 10 universities – Osmania University, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), University of Hyderabad (UoH), B R Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Potti Sriramulu Telugu University (PSTU), Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), NALSAR University of Law, Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) and English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), and three medical colleges – Osmania, Gandhi and Deccan --and one-post-graduate medical institute NIMS).

Besides, there are several prestigious defence and scientific research institutes in the city. Hyderabad is home to 28 establishments of defence or other strategic importance. There are some 40 central government institutions with national research and educational interest like the Nuclear Fuel Research Institute, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Centre for DNA and Fingerprinting Diagnostics (CDFD), National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Geological Survey of India (GSI) and National Geographic Research Institute (NGRI).

Hyderabad is also the hub of the bulk drug industry with facilities like Genome Park, Biotech Park and ICICI Knowledge Park. Being the second largest software centre in the country, Hyderabad accounts for 15 per cent of India’s IT exports.
Probably, it will take another 400 years to build a city of this magnitude and splendour. The young and future generations of Seemandhra will miss the great educational and scientific institutions that dot the city of Hyderabad.

There are not many institutions of such repute in Seemandhra. For industrialists they have to start from scratch in the new Andhra Pradesh. Sharing the capital for a long time will not attract investments in Andhra. In any way they are at a disadvantage. With the open revolt by Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, the process of bifurcation is set to be further delayed. Already, the clock has been put back by appointing another committee.

Hyderabad, like Rome, was not built in a day. Seemandhra will face a similar challenge while building a capital city of its own within 10 years. It may build a heaven on earth but still will not be able to match Hyderabad. The city is home to several prestigious defence and scientific research institutes. There are 28 establishments of defence or other strategic importance. There are also some 40 central government institutions with national research and educational interest

Tailpiece: When in doubt, appoint a committee