Venkat Raman
People of Telangana demonstrated their spirit of unity, patriotism, and solidarity as they marked the third anniversary of their State on Sunday, June 11, 2017.
More than 500 men, women and children attended the festivities organised by the Telangana Association of New Zealand (TANZ) held at Mt Eden War Memorial Hall in Auckland City at which Deputy Prime Minister (and Minister of Police and Tourism) Paula Bennett was the Chief Guest.
Paying tributes to the people of Telangana, Ms Bennett said that they are known for their hard work, dedication and enterprise.
“Our Government is grateful to the Indian community for their support and contributions to economic development and social progress. I am happy to experience the richness of Telangana culture and I hope that the younger members of the community will preserve and promote the traditional and cultural values,” she said.
“I feel privileged to be a part of the ‘Telangana Formation Day’ celebrations,” she added.
Among the others who spoke at the event were National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, National Party Candidate at Kelston Bala Venu Beeram, Global Indianz (National Party Youth Wing) Vice-President Rahul Sirigiri, New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) President Bhikhu Bhana and TANZ President Kalyan Rao Kasuganti.
Other prominent guests included New Zealand People’s Party of New Zealand Leader Roshan Nauhria, NZICA General Secretary Prakash Biradar and Link2 Services Limited Managing Director Indra Sirigiri.
About Telangana
The ‘Promise’ of a separate State for the people of the Telangana goes back to August 15, 1947 when India became independent. The ‘Promise’ was not fulfilled even in 1957 when the ‘Linguistic Reorganisation of States’ was implemented.
Since then, the people of Telangana have been demanding delivery of that ‘Promise’ peacefully. It became a reality in February 2014, one of the major acts of the outgoing government of Dr Manmohan Singh. Telangana is an independent State today with Hyderabad as the Capital.
Andhra Pradesh (AP) continues as an independent State sharing Hyderabad as the Capital.
The promulgation of a Statute declaring Telangana as an independent State provided for such sharing for ten years.
Eventually Vishakhapatnam will become the Capital of AP.
‘Telangana Formation Day’ is therefore a very important and emotional event for the people of Telangana.
