Hyderabad erupts in joy at midnight

HYDERABAD: The city literarily gave Rajasthan’s Jaipur a run for its money as its streets and government buildings sported the colour pink. While hundreds of people carrying flags turned up at Telangana Martyr’s Memorial at Gun Park near Assembly on Sunday evening to pay tributes to those who lost their lives in the statehood struggle, at the stroke of midnight the streets reverberated with 'Jai Telangana' slogans ushering in India’s 29th state.
"Tonight is an emotional night for all of us. It is the culmination of decades of struggle. For those who lost friends and families the realization of statehood means peace," said B Harikishan Goud, a former student of Osmania University as he hugged an acquaintance in tight embrace expressing his joy. Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) chairman M Kondanram too visited the martyr’s memorial to pay his respects.
People greeted each other with vigorous handshakes and hugs, many with tears of joy in their eyes. Others broke into spontaneous jigs to traditional Telangana songs that blared on loudspeakers, keeping the atmosphere charged at Gun Park. There were several others who were busy clicking snaps with the memorial in the backdrop to preserve the moment for posterity.

"We hope the same sentiment and enthusiasm in people drives the new state to prosperity. Achieving statehood is only half the battle won," said K Narasimhlu, a retired primary school teacher. The crowds had swelled to over a thousand an hour before midnight as representatives from district joint action committees and other government organizations arrived.
Elsewhere too denizens came out in large numbers to celebrate the historic occasions. By late evening “Jai Telangana” had become the customary greeting. At Tank Bund and Necklace Road traffic was thrown out of gear as the roads witnessed heavy traffic for a Sunday evening. However, the decorated medians and colorfully lit Hussainsagar Lake besides the jubilant mood kept motorists’ tempers in check. At People’s Plaza hundreds of denizens gathered to see the firework display which began around midnight.