There are different conceptions about the formation of Andhra Pradesh and its name. It is for the scholars and research students to bring out the truth after poring through various records. Since I am neither, I can, but conjure what could have been.
Regarding formation of Visalandhra or Andhra Pradesh, I submit there was neither any popular movement nor any demand from any influential sections or interests for merging Andhra and Telangana. Definitely it was not on the Agenda of Potti Sriramulu nor other Andhra leaders who fought for separation from Madras alone.
After formation of Andhra, it must have been, then, a pragmatic and strategic decision taken in Delhi to merge the Telugu speaking areas oh Hyderabad with Andhra to prevent the former ruling cliche of Hyderabad from raising their secessionist head once for all. Please recall the Razakar movement and the Police Action. The principle of forming states on linguistic basis came in handy and Hyderabad state was trifurcated permanently and merged with three different contiguous states thus losing its homogenity and distinct identity. It will be interesting to note that Junagarh and Hyderabad, both of which tried to avoid signing the Instrument of Accession, were brought to heel by force and merged with erstwhile British administered states to stamp out all feudal traces.
Likewise regarding the name, those were the heady days with independence movement still fresh in memory and its allied trappings like Khadi, Hindi, etc. The Congress Party wanted to Hindi-ize everything where there was no opposition and the name suggested for residual Madras province was Dakshina Pradesh which was rejected outright by Tamils who continued with Madras till changed to Tamil Nadu which is not a Hindi word. The Telugus, who were more loyal than the king , meekly accepted Andhra Pradesh. This is also in line with the names of other States like Uttar Pradesh (United Provinces), Madhya Pradesh (Madhya Bharat), Himachal Pradesh (carved out of Punjab). Probably that is how Telangana got dropped and the state got its present name.
I stand corrected if I am wrong.
...ponder
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
My English translation of a cherished film song
Original Telugu
---------------
pallavi
-----------
mouname nee bhasha o mooga manasa
thalapulu ennenno kalaluga kantaavu
kallalu kagane kanneeravuthavu
charanam 1
-----------------
cheekati guha neevu chintala cheli neevu
natakaranganive manasa thegina pathanganive
enduku valachevo enduku vagachevo
enduku ragilevo emai migilevo
charanam 2
-----------------
korkela chela neevu koorimi vala neevu
uhala uyyalave manasa mayala dayyanive
lenidi korevu vunnadi vadilevu
oka porapatuku yugamulu pogilevu
English translation
-------------------
pallavi
---------
Silence is your language oh mute heart
thoughts are plenty which thou experience as dreams
once they turn out to be false you are full of tears
charanam 1
----------------
thou are that cave of darknesss - thou are the hand-maiden of worries
thou are that stage of drama - and a snapped kite
why do you pine - why do you regret
why do you burn - what are you finally left over as? (future is inscrutable)
charanam 2
-----------------
thou are the exuberence of desires - you are that net called love(friendship)
oh heart! thou are that swing of imagination - a witch full of tricks
you desire what you not possess - you let go what you possess
due to one mistake - you regret eons
(one word has many meanings. I have tried to put appropriate words to the best of my ability. I might not have done full justice. I know that.)
---------------
pallavi
-----------
mouname nee bhasha o mooga manasa
thalapulu ennenno kalaluga kantaavu
kallalu kagane kanneeravuthavu
charanam 1
-----------------
cheekati guha neevu chintala cheli neevu
natakaranganive manasa thegina pathanganive
enduku valachevo enduku vagachevo
enduku ragilevo emai migilevo
charanam 2
-----------------
korkela chela neevu koorimi vala neevu
uhala uyyalave manasa mayala dayyanive
lenidi korevu vunnadi vadilevu
oka porapatuku yugamulu pogilevu
English translation
-------------------
pallavi
---------
Silence is your language oh mute heart
thoughts are plenty which thou experience as dreams
once they turn out to be false you are full of tears
charanam 1
----------------
thou are that cave of darknesss - thou are the hand-maiden of worries
thou are that stage of drama - and a snapped kite
why do you pine - why do you regret
why do you burn - what are you finally left over as? (future is inscrutable)
charanam 2
-----------------
thou are the exuberence of desires - you are that net called love(friendship)
oh heart! thou are that swing of imagination - a witch full of tricks
you desire what you not possess - you let go what you possess
due to one mistake - you regret eons
(one word has many meanings. I have tried to put appropriate words to the best of my ability. I might not have done full justice. I know that.)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Hopefully...
Yesterday’s press meet of KCR was noteworthy for one home-truth - there can be agitations for separation but not for unity. If all are united where is the need for agitation? How true!
An interesting aspect of present turmoil is that the voices of protagonists of separate Andhra like Yalamanchili Sivaji and Chalasani are now muted. They are not seen on any channel. Given their track record, I don’t think they have become integrationists overnight.
We are hearing of statues of Potti Sriramulu being cleansed with milk by integrationists. But the fact is, Potti Sriramulu’s goal was not the present shape of AP, but the formation of a separate Andhra carved out of erstwhile Madras Presidency so that Andhras can self govern themselves and achieve their aspirations in dignity.
Telangana demand is also similar. However much one might try to paper over, their aspirations are not only about jobs, university seats or even development. It is also about ploughing one’s own furrow in dignity. Atleast now let us call a spade a spade.
How long this tragic-comedy will be enacted? Except for TRS, which has been steadfast in its speeches, goals and actions, all other political parties are somersaulting like buffoons except this is no laughing matter.
Except for a brief period when Sanjeeva Reddy/Chenna Reddy were Central ministers for Steel and Industries, no person from AP was thought fit to hold an important economic portfolio like Industries, Railways, Telecommunications, Defence which have huge budgets and vast scope for establishment of industries which in turn act as magnets for further development and economic well being of that area.
There is no worthwhile central or state industry in entire Andhra-Rayalaseema area except for a couple in Vizag. There is no hospital like AIIMS which could reach for the poor. There is no central institution of excellence like IIT/IIM. There is no Ordnance Factory. There is no Railway Production Unit. They could not get a mere 20 km sanctioned railway line between Kakinada and Pithapuram executed. Who is responsible for this and who has the moral authority to talk on behalf of Andhra Pradesh?
To add to the misfortune of the people, there is no Leader of caliber who is heard with respect either by Centre or its own people. There is not a single person – in politics or otherwise – who has a pan Andhra-Rayalaseema appeal. Leaders with impeccable credentials like Tanguturi, Tenneti, Vavilala don’t exist any more. The people of these regions are rudderless and the poor students are directionless. Abhorrence of violence, desisting from provocative tit-for-tat speeches, preserving public and private property and a sense of agreeing to disagree are the need of the hour in this drifting state.
Something always comes out of churning. Let us hope some good will come out of this turmoil to alleviate the miseries of the common man even while cooling the political temperatures. If it is by bifurcation or trifurcation – let so be it.
…ponder
An interesting aspect of present turmoil is that the voices of protagonists of separate Andhra like Yalamanchili Sivaji and Chalasani are now muted. They are not seen on any channel. Given their track record, I don’t think they have become integrationists overnight.
We are hearing of statues of Potti Sriramulu being cleansed with milk by integrationists. But the fact is, Potti Sriramulu’s goal was not the present shape of AP, but the formation of a separate Andhra carved out of erstwhile Madras Presidency so that Andhras can self govern themselves and achieve their aspirations in dignity.
Telangana demand is also similar. However much one might try to paper over, their aspirations are not only about jobs, university seats or even development. It is also about ploughing one’s own furrow in dignity. Atleast now let us call a spade a spade.
How long this tragic-comedy will be enacted? Except for TRS, which has been steadfast in its speeches, goals and actions, all other political parties are somersaulting like buffoons except this is no laughing matter.
Except for a brief period when Sanjeeva Reddy/Chenna Reddy were Central ministers for Steel and Industries, no person from AP was thought fit to hold an important economic portfolio like Industries, Railways, Telecommunications, Defence which have huge budgets and vast scope for establishment of industries which in turn act as magnets for further development and economic well being of that area.
There is no worthwhile central or state industry in entire Andhra-Rayalaseema area except for a couple in Vizag. There is no hospital like AIIMS which could reach for the poor. There is no central institution of excellence like IIT/IIM. There is no Ordnance Factory. There is no Railway Production Unit. They could not get a mere 20 km sanctioned railway line between Kakinada and Pithapuram executed. Who is responsible for this and who has the moral authority to talk on behalf of Andhra Pradesh?
To add to the misfortune of the people, there is no Leader of caliber who is heard with respect either by Centre or its own people. There is not a single person – in politics or otherwise – who has a pan Andhra-Rayalaseema appeal. Leaders with impeccable credentials like Tanguturi, Tenneti, Vavilala don’t exist any more. The people of these regions are rudderless and the poor students are directionless. Abhorrence of violence, desisting from provocative tit-for-tat speeches, preserving public and private property and a sense of agreeing to disagree are the need of the hour in this drifting state.
Something always comes out of churning. Let us hope some good will come out of this turmoil to alleviate the miseries of the common man even while cooling the political temperatures. If it is by bifurcation or trifurcation – let so be it.
…ponder
Friday, December 11, 2009
Formation of a new State
Article 3 of our Constitution states as under:-
Quote
3. Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States – Parliament may by law –
(a) form a new State by separation of territory from any State or by uniting two or more States or parts of States or by uniting any territory to a part of any State;
(b) increase the area of any State;
(c) diminish the area of any State;
(d) alter the boundaries of any State;
(e) alter the name of any State.
Provided that no Bill for the purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the President and unless, where the proposal contained in the Bill affects the area, boundaries or name of any of the States, the Bill has been referred by the President to the Legislature of that State for expressing its views thereon within such period as may be specified in the reference ore within such further as the President may allow and the period so specified or allowed has expired.
Unquote
The President is not, however, bound by the views of the State Legislature, so ascertained.
By a simple majority and by ordinary Legislative process Parliament may form new States or alter the boundaries etc of existing States and thereby change the political map of India.
From the above it is obvious that there is no need for a resolution to be introduced and passed in the State Legislature for the formation of Telangana. Only when a Presidential reference is made, the State Legislature may (not mandatory) discuss and express its views or allow the period to expire without expressing its opinion.
So when Mr.Rosiah said yesterday that he has not received any instructions, either written or oral from the Centre to introduce a resolution, he was stating the obvious. He will never receive such instructions. It is another matter if his party instructs him to introduce and pass a resolution (superfluous to the constitutional process) in the Legislature with whip duly issued to its Members for bringing its Legislators in line at the pain of losing Membership.
So when Mr.Pillai, Home Secretary stated that the process has started, he might have meant that the Home Ministry has approached or initiated action for approaching the Presidential Secretariat for obtaining the Presidential recommendation which is the first mandatory step for the process.
Mr.Lagadapati Rajagopal’s demand for introduction of a resolution in the Legislature without the issue of a whip, is neither a constitutional requirement nor in keeping with the traditions of our political parties which never dare to allow its Members to vote according to the dictates of their conscience.
Creation of Telangana is the sole prerogative of the Centre and if it has the political will nothing can stop as demonstrated when the three States of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh were created.
The resignations of Legislators are neither serious nor done in a fit of emotion. It is a calculated and calibrated move to douse public ire which is also the need of the hour. History is repeating itself. We know what happened in 1971.
…ponder
Quote
3. Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States – Parliament may by law –
(a) form a new State by separation of territory from any State or by uniting two or more States or parts of States or by uniting any territory to a part of any State;
(b) increase the area of any State;
(c) diminish the area of any State;
(d) alter the boundaries of any State;
(e) alter the name of any State.
Provided that no Bill for the purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the President and unless, where the proposal contained in the Bill affects the area, boundaries or name of any of the States, the Bill has been referred by the President to the Legislature of that State for expressing its views thereon within such period as may be specified in the reference ore within such further as the President may allow and the period so specified or allowed has expired.
Unquote
The President is not, however, bound by the views of the State Legislature, so ascertained.
By a simple majority and by ordinary Legislative process Parliament may form new States or alter the boundaries etc of existing States and thereby change the political map of India.
From the above it is obvious that there is no need for a resolution to be introduced and passed in the State Legislature for the formation of Telangana. Only when a Presidential reference is made, the State Legislature may (not mandatory) discuss and express its views or allow the period to expire without expressing its opinion.
So when Mr.Rosiah said yesterday that he has not received any instructions, either written or oral from the Centre to introduce a resolution, he was stating the obvious. He will never receive such instructions. It is another matter if his party instructs him to introduce and pass a resolution (superfluous to the constitutional process) in the Legislature with whip duly issued to its Members for bringing its Legislators in line at the pain of losing Membership.
So when Mr.Pillai, Home Secretary stated that the process has started, he might have meant that the Home Ministry has approached or initiated action for approaching the Presidential Secretariat for obtaining the Presidential recommendation which is the first mandatory step for the process.
Mr.Lagadapati Rajagopal’s demand for introduction of a resolution in the Legislature without the issue of a whip, is neither a constitutional requirement nor in keeping with the traditions of our political parties which never dare to allow its Members to vote according to the dictates of their conscience.
Creation of Telangana is the sole prerogative of the Centre and if it has the political will nothing can stop as demonstrated when the three States of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh were created.
The resignations of Legislators are neither serious nor done in a fit of emotion. It is a calculated and calibrated move to douse public ire which is also the need of the hour. History is repeating itself. We know what happened in 1971.
…ponder
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