Boarding @ Home: Day 72/84: Telangana - India's youngest state

Telangana Formation Day June 2nd 2016 We all know the fight by Rutland, merged with Leicestershire in 1974, to become a county once again was successful in 1997. But we're far less well aware of the longstanding campaign for the separate linguistic Indian state of Telangana from 1956! In 1947/48 it was at the centre of the religious crisis when India and Pakistan were established as separate nations. It finally separated from the pre-existing state of Andhra Pradesh and corresponds to the Telugu-speaking portions of the erstwhile Princely state of Hyderabad. It shares Hyderabad, aka Cyberabad, as its capital until 2024 and major manufacturing and services industries are in operation including automobiles, spices, mines and minerals, textiles and apparel, pharmaceutical, horticulture and poultry farming. Cyberabad sees the location of major software industries in the city. Prior to secession it contributed 15% to India's exports in IT sectors and boasts the HITEC City as its premier hub [illustrated with paddy fields]. The state government is developing Industrial Parks for specific industries e.g. Apparel, Export Promotion and Bio-technology.

Chief Minister Rao however is keen to ensure agriculture is also sustained and developed: "It connects people like me, who lived with agriculture decades ago in whichever position such people may be living now, the olden days, the past memories will inflate afresh. The wonderful village atmosphere pervading and prevailing then, with agriculture playing a pivotal and predominant role, was simply great." Below left Hyderabad's Gourmet Market at the Charminar and next to it the Amazon Campus - the largest in the world!

The Charminar is the beating heart of Hyderabadis. The landmark was built in 1591 as a monument and mosque which celebrates the influence of the Muslim Turkomans in India. It has been officially incorporated as the State Emblem of Telangana. The mosque is up 149 steps on its top floor. The anglicised name is a combination of the Urdu words châr and minar or meenar translating to "Four Pillars"; the eponymous towers are ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches.
Daily Bread Co-operative and Tyre Pressures. We'd set our timetable and ventured forth via Tesco where tyre pressure couldn't be well adjusted from 1.9 to 2.4 so off to National Tires who could help. Job done; but the Daily Bread Co-operative had 2 metre queuing and I'd left the blue badge at home so Avril resolved to try another day. We'll need a briefing from Jules and Laura on shopping etiquette methinks! I'm increasingly doubtful, hesitant, unsure and prone to addubitation. I know I can't stand long enough to queue for as long as it's going to take. But we [I] certainly need to get back in our [my] stride; and I don't mean travelling up to Scotland. I'm even self-doubting about chasing up UPS who've been promising to deliver 6 Spanish reds from Vinoselección for the past few days but not showing up. Yes, we got the tyre pressure up but it went to 2.6 not 2.4 and it's clear the aircon needs to be re-pressurised and we [I] need to fix a drop off to Classic Cars in Blisworth. Once again today the Dolphinstouns are readying to do our shopping but the reality is that we have now technically been released from our original 84 days lockdown as 'over 70s' that haven't received a hi risk health warning letter. But we are still not allowed to travel to our 2nd Home which is what Somerset House is called. Thursday week we have our third ZOOM for the Battle Trustees and all manner of issues are bubbling up from ELC that will impact on the battlefield and our own Centre. Aux armes!