All set for state formation day fete

Hyderabad: A cursory glance in any direction in the twin-cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad gives one an impression of a massive festival. If one were to go by the preparations for the Telangana Formation Day on June 2, the twin cities it seems are to get a makeover that was never witnessed before.

Government offices, hotels and monuments would be lit up, fireworks would welcome people on Tank Bund, kavi sammelans and quwwali would enthrall lovers of shayari and 550 artistes would showcase the history and culture of Telangana. In short, the Telangana Government is not leaving any stone unturned to make the second anniversary of the formation of the state to be bigger and better.

The Government announced prizes for best illuminated hotel and asked institutions, hotels and restaurants to deck up their premises. The first prize would be Rs 1 lakh, second Rs 50,000 and third prize Rs 25,000.

Clock Tower in Secunderabad, Golconda (Bala Hissar and main entrance wall), Buddha Statue, Secunderabad Railway Station, Salarjung Museum, Unani Hospital, Mecca Masjid, statue nearby Clock Tower, Nampally Railway Station and Charminar would be lit up.

This is not all; welcome arches would greet people at entry points to districts and villages. But for those who would be making a trip to Hyderabad would have a gala time as the government has earmarked Rs 15 crore for the celebrations.

State-of-the-art RGB LED focus lights (DMX controlled), LED strip lights would illuminate monuments and give a complete colour wash to monuments. Metal wireframe with painted fabric/ lycra based installations creating various Telangana State animals, birds and flowers would be an added attraction.

A senior official said that custom-made self-standing LED strip/ neon strip front light installation of at least 12 feet height with designs influenced from Telangana State symbols like Jammi Chettu, Palapitta, Jinka would catch everybody’s attention. On the D-Day, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao would first pay tributes to the martyrs at Telangana martyrs’ memorial at Gun Park and proceed towards Sanjeevaiah Park to hoist biggest national flag. One of the biggest flags in the country 108 X 70 feet would be hoisted on an 88 metre pole.

KCR would then proceed towards Lumbini Park to lay foundation stone for construction of Telangana martyrs’ memorial. He would take part in the celebrations at Parade Grounds at Secunderabad and finally reach Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) at Hi-Tec city where Governor E S L Narasimhan would be the chief guest and the programme would be attended by ministers, MLAs, MPs, MLCs, corporators and other public representatives.

Advisor to government K V Ramanachari said that the celebrations are planned in a way that it attracts world’s attention. The celebrations would take place right from village-level to the State capital and arrangements are already underway.

Telangana Samskrutika Saradhi (TSS) chairman Rasamayi Balakishan said, “The cultural programmes at Necklace Road would reflect 50 years of hopes of people and dreams coming true during the last two years.” The artistes would perform arts pertaining to ten districts of Telangana like Gond from Adilabad, Lambadi from Nalagonda,” he said.