Political leaders in Telangana celebrated the 75th Independence Day of the country with great flourish and gusto today.
On the occasion, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao unfurled the tricolour at the historic Golconda Fort in Hyderabad and received a salute from the police.
Addressing the state after the ceremony, he claimed that Telangana, India's youngest state, had achieved recognition for its many remarkable victories, including its success in becoming the "rice bowl of the country".
"Today, the nation is remembering the martyrs who struggled for the independence of India. We must all celebrate our freedom with great enthusiasm. Seven years after the creation of the state, the people of Telangana too are experiencing the freedom that comes with living in a fast growing state. Our per capita income is double the national per capita income. In 2013-14, this same figure was Rs 1,12,126. Later, our per capita income increased to Rs 2,37,632. I feel proud that our state has been able to achieve this level of growth," the CM gushed.
"We have been able to achieve our aims in the agriculture and irrigation sectors, and have gone on to become the rice bowl of India. We will continue to achieve such milestones by implementing various welfare and support measures. A new flagship program, the Dalit Bandhu, will be implemented soon at a cost of about Rs 1 lakh crore. Under this scheme, we will provide aid of Rs 10 lakh to each eligible SC household in Telangana. This will enable them to establish their own businesses. Further, to support the state's agrarian community, we will waive crop loans of Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh from August 16. Our crop loan waivers help about 9 lakh farmers. The priority of our government is to develop the state in a holistic manner and to spend funds on the welfare of the poor and the disadvantaged," he added.
KCR then spoke about the completion of the 4,000 mw Yadadri Power Plant, constructed in Nalgonda district, and pointed to his government's "commitment to achieving inclusive growth".
He also spoke about the Covid-19 pandemic and stated, "Despite the outbreak of the pandemic which has been causing huge losses across all sectors, Telangana's GDP has now reached Rs 9,80,407 crore while in 2013-14, it was just about Rs 4,51,580 crore. Similarly, our net power production is currently 16,425 mw now while it was just 7,788 mw when the state was formed. In our pursuit to support the elderly, our government has recently decided to offer
pensions to those aged 57 and above. Next, to bolster the weaving and textile industry's workers, we will be implementing an insurance scheme akin to the Rythu Bhima for the weavers of the state. Besides these measures, in order to improve the state's healthcare sector, we have already sanctioned eight new medical colleges and strengthened hospitals with various new equipments and amenities."
In another part of the city, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan hoisted the national flag in front of the Raj Bhavan Durbar Hall.
The Governor also personally distributed sweets to the Raj Bhavan employees on the occasion. Later, she offered special prayers at the Raj Bhavan temple before leaving for Puducherry.
Telangana Chief Justice Hima Kohli also participated in an Independence Day program where she unfurled the national flag in the presence of the judges and advocates of the state's high court.
The leaders of the BJP and the Congress organised several programs on the occasion as well.
State BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar hoisted the tricolour at the party's headquarters in the presence of several party leaders. He paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Indian freedom struggle and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, inspired by the ideals of the freedom fighters, were working hard to serve the people. He also claimed that the PM had been able to instil a sense of patriotism among the Indian youth and urged the public to stand by the Centre.
The Congress, on the other hand, held an 'independence rally' from the Jawaharlal Nehru statue in Abids to the Gandhi Bhavan. TPCC head A Revanth Reddy, CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and AICC secretary Bosu Raju were among those who took part in the event.