The Government of Telangana has finalised the jinka (blackbuck), paalapitta (Indian Roller-Blue Jay, Coracias benghalensis ), jammi chettu (Shami tree, Prosopis spicigera ) and thangedu puvvu (Peacock’s Pride, Cassia sophora ) as the official symbols of the State.
The decision was taken by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at a meeting held here on Monday to finalise the symbols of the State. The State animal, bird, tree and flower were chosen keeping in mind the culture, history, traditions and mythological backdrop of the Telangana people, he noted.
Stating that the new State symbols were necessitated with the formation of the new State, Mr. Rao said they were selected from Andhra angle in combined Andhra Pradesh. Explaining the importance of the symbols selected, he noted that the blackbuck, which would survive even in shrub forests, was known to be the most sensitive and innocent wild animal, and the people of Telangana too had similar qualities. Found in all districts of the State, the animal had a significant place in the Ramayana , he said.
Highlighting the importance of the Indian Roller in the State’s culture, the Chief Minister said the people here believed that sighting the bird meant good omen on Dasara. It was selected as the State bird since it had mythological references, wherein it was stated that Ram had sighted the bird before attacking Lanka, and succeeded. This would indicate that Telangana would also tread the path of success.
On the shami tree, Mr. Rao said it was also part of the people’s culture. According to mythology, the Pandavas had safely kept their arms on the tree while in exile ( agnathavasam) and on completion of the term, they had offered prayers to the tree, taken off their arms and defeated the Kauravas in the Mahabharata war.
Justifying the selection of peacock’s pride as the State flower, Mr. Rao said the flower had a pride of place in the Bathukamma festival, which was synonymous with the culture of Telangana. It would grow naturally in the wild, and was thought to protect the marital life of women.
