EX GOVERNOR FAVOURS TELANGANA STATE

Kakinada: Advocating formation of smaller states,former governor of Sikkim and senior BJP leader V V Ramarao said the setting up of Justice Srikrishna committee is an exercise in futility. Speaking to reporters here on Monday,he said the contentious issue of Telangana needs a political decision and it does not require a committee to study the ground realities and the larger aspirations of the people of the region. He said there was no need to kick up a furore by the united Andhra activists over the remarks of minister Botsa Satyanarayana who pressed for the formation of separate T-state.Ramarao said there was a strong case for formation of smaller states in the country. He cited the examples of Gujarat, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand which have made giant strides in development index.
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Hyderabad soaks in Holi colours

Soaked in gulal and swaying to the tunes of Rang Barse, Hyderabadis trooped onto the streets of the city on Monday to celebrate Holi and as the day progressed,rang,bhaang and masti simply flooded all corners of the city. Almost in all pockets of Hyderabad,residential societies organised their own little dos.From the narrow lanes of Old City to the plush corners of Banjara Hills,the bright colours of Holi were visible everywhere.Vendors selling gulal and colours in Ameerpet were cheerful at the good sales this year.Said one of them,There was some enthusiasm among people last year too but this year the spirit is really high.People are buying colours in huge quantities. City old-timers said this time the festival was more of a social event.

It was mostly the youth who indulged in such festivities,not much of a family event, said S Manju a resident of L B Nagar.In the last 28 years,Manju says,this is the first time she saw people of her locality get together for the festival of colour.We have never celebrated Holi before.But now with a lot of our neighbours being from north India,we thought it would be nice to have a Holi gathering. While Mondays celebrations held centre stage with the city almost coming to a standstill due to Holi festivities,it was since Sunday night that the preparations for the festival had begun.This,some denizens said,was more surprising.While many played Holi even before,the concept of chhoti Holi (the day before Holi) is really catching up here.This year we saw several localities light kamadahan (bonfire) and celebrate Holieve, said Sudarshan Reddy,a resident of Somajiguda.He says that most residential societies around his place organised Holi parties on choti Holi itself.All the lanes were lit up.There were crackers and food and lots of bhaang.Even before it was Holi,celebrations in our areas had begun in full swing, said the IT professional,glad that he did not have to report to duty on Holi.The extended weekend added to the festivities for us, he said.

Even those who have been celebrating Holi the same way for the last many years,the intense zeal among their friends this year came as a surprise.We throw a party for all our close friends and family on Holi every year.This year,we had some friends coming up to us and insisting that we hold a gala do,assuring complete support.It was surprising, said Prakash Saxena,a resident of Banjara Hills offering his own explanation for the festival gaining popularity,Holi is one festival that promises a lot of fun and merriment.So,everybody wants to be part of it these days. Whatever the reason,it is sure that Hyderabadis are fast warming up to the festival of colours.

REVELRY: Governor ELS Narasimhan and his wife Vimala Narasimhan (right) celebrate Holi at Raj Bhavan on Monday.
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(source-toi)