The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Bypolls enliven atmosphere in sleepy tribal villages

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Friday, May 23, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Bypolls enliven atmosphere in sleepy tribal villages

S. Harpal Singh

Helicopters become special attraction in rural areas

Villagers brave the heat to attend public meetings
Visits of heli-hopping VIPs a festival for many

ADILABAD: The normally dull summer days in villages in the agency areas of Adilabad district have been enlivened by the byelections. The customarily reticent tribals brave the heat and other difficulties to flock to the venues of election meetings that are addressed by star campaigners from respective parties.

Heli-hopping

The helicopter has become a special attraction for people in rural areas and the frequent heli-hopping of important leaders is greatly welcomed by them. The general atmosphere at any given station that is visited by a VIP is like a festival given the enthusiasm of people.

‘Like cricket’

“It is like a cricket match,” said Rathod Vishnu, a youth from Bheempur village in Narnoor mandal referring to the slanging match at election meetings.

He had come all the way to attend the meeting of Telangana Rashtra Samiti president K. Chandrashekhar Rao at the mandal headquarters on Wednesday.

“We know that the byelections will not affect either the State or the Central government. What possible good can an elected representative do over a period of just six months. Yet, we should listen to what the politicians have to say before we decide to cast the vote. In any case we are free until the monsoon arrives,” he added.

Qawwali

Would Amir Khusro have been amused to see his ‘invention’ the qawwali form of musical tradition being used by politicians? May be. May be not. But, Sk. Nazir of Jainoor mandal headquarters was amusing himself listening to verses of an election song that was composed in the manner of a qawwali.

The qawwali ‘Maa Telangana batuve mein tere kaise kaise heere the......’ helped brushing up on a part of history of Telangana region.

It mentions names of famous personalities from Akkanna-Madanna, Dasarathi, Maqdoom Mohiuddin and the Nizam himself.

“Thode naman hum bhi sune so hai. Naye namon ke bare mein maloom karna padta,” said Nazir.

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