On separate State

February 19, 2010 01:11 am | Updated 01:11 am IST

The protagonists of a separate Telangana State argue that their region has been discriminated against and exploited by the people of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. If their contention is true, the elected representatives of Telangana are equally to blame for the situation. Andhra Pradesh has been ruled by leaders of all regions. If a few capitalists of coastal Andhra have reaped more benefits than others, as many others in other parts of the country have done, it is because our political system allows inequitable and unbalanced growth.

It is, in fact, Hyderabad and the surrounding areas that have witnessed faster growth compared to other parts of the State, largely due to heavy investment by the government and private players. The Rayalaseema and Uttarandhra regions are no better than most of the Telangana districts. A new State of Telangana will not be radically different from the existing region.

D. Suran Naidu, Hyderabad

Politicians of Telangana are playing with the future of students. Many youngsters are being provoked by the meaningless statements of political leaders. It is true that the region has been duped and cheated but agitations and suicides will not produce a solution. Universities are meant for educating students, not involving them in politically sensitive activities. Students should realise the value of education.

J. Ravindranath, Warangal

The task before the Srikrishna Committee reminds me of a story involving Tenali Rama, a gem in the durbar of Krishnadeva Raya. A wealthy man willed that his 17 elephants should be divided among his three sons in such a way that the first son got half of the total number, the second one-third, and, the third, one-ninth. The king asked Tenali Rama to effect the division because nothing seemed to satisfy the three sons, 17 being a prime-number.

Rama brought his elephant to the venue where the division was to be made, taking the total number of elephants to 18. Then he divided the number into half (9), one-third (6) and one-ninth (2). The total was thus 17, and it had been divided to the satisfaction of all concerned. Rama rode back home on his elephant. Can we think of a similar out-of-the-box solution to the Telangana issue, which is acceptable to all?

Y. Parameswaran Menon, Thrissur

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