By Pawan Khera and Manish Khanduri

The #BharatJodoYatra got off to an enthusiastic start in Telengana; after the end of the three day Diwali rest period, everyone was in the camp was raring to go. So much so, that even Congress MP Rahul Gandhi who arrived late the previous night (around 1:00 AM) to the Yatris’ camp, was ready to start by 5:30 AM this morning.

Waiting to receive the Yatris were Revanth Reddy, MP and president TPCC, Bhatti Vikramarka, CLP and Uttam Kumar Reddy, MP. Also accompanying Congress leaders on this approximately 12 kilometres long walk were Telangana Civil Society Coordinators, leaders of the Telangana Federation of Trade Unions (for unorganized sector workers) and members of Kula Nirmulana Samithi. “It’s an exciting time to be in Telangana,” says Yatri Yogesh Meena, “And we were all very impressed by the organisation of the TPCC.”

At a press conference in the morning Jairam Ramesh, MP, stated that the Bharat Jodo Yatra was intended to combat three major issues, which were – increase in economic inequality, social polarisation and political centralisation leading to dictatorship. He went on to state that the local parties TRS and MIM “practiced the same politics as BJP and RSS. TRS and MIM constantly give oxygen to the BJP which gives booster doses to TRS and MIM.”

The Yatris halted for their midday rest at Bondalkunta, Makthal.

In the afternoon there is a planned interaction with farmers and farmers’ representatives from across Telangana. A number of topics will be discussed including farmer suicides, situation of tenant farmers and the negative fallout of the introduction of the Dharani land records portal.

Midday Travel Facts

1. Current District Name – Mahbubnagar
2. The district is famous for its ancient temples and historical structures. Pillalamari, a 700 years old Banyan tree, is a major attraction for tourists.
3. It is believed that the famous Golconda diamonds including the “Kohinoor Diamond” came from this region.
4. Mahabubnagar was an important centre during the Quit India movement and the integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union
5. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, the great freedom fighter and first elected Chief Minister of Hyderabad was born in Mahabubnagar. He was was an active participant in the Quit India movement as well as instrumental in bringing Hyderabad into the Indian Union.