Rama Krishna Sangem
Telangana aspires to showcase Hyderabad as a bright spot in the South India. This is to woo investments and talent across far and wide, amid linguistic rows that affect some other states in the region. Latest being the language controversy in Maharashtra where UBT Shiv Sena leadership has raked up Marat hi pride especially imposition of Hindi.
Revanth Reddy led Congress government in Telangana has been making efforts to attract big scale investments into the state, particularly in and around Hyderabad city, known for its true cosmopolitan culture. Here, Telugu is equally valued on par with not just Hindi and Urdu, but also Marathi, Tamil and Kannada.
Recently reunited Thackaray brothers – Uddhav and Raj – have decided to make Marathi pride an issue to regain their lost political ground in the state. But, their stand has inadvertently affecting fresh investments into Maharashtra, for MNCs and other big companies are wary of locating their businesses there for more reasons.
Naturally, the talented job seekers prefer places where their native languages are not humiliated or they are forced to speak in a particular local language. Same is the case with Tamil Nadu which too is frequently in the news for opposing Hindi and championing the cause of Tamil. Of course, other regional languages are insulted either in Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu.
But, people from other regions, especially northern states feel insecure to come and settle in these states for fear of being discriminated against. Though Karnataka is not that sensitive to Kannada language pride or against Hindi, that state is not totally free from linguistic controversies. Remember, Bangalore is the tech hub of India. Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are relatively free of any controversies, but they are still picking up in wooing investments and major industries. They will take sometime.
Already a cosmopolitan city
Hyderabad is fast emerging destination for many sunrise sectors. Today, the city and its surroundings host about 355 GCCs (Global Capability Centers) that employ close to 3 lakh people. IT industry is already strongly rooted in the city that give jobs to about 4.5 lakh men and women and its over 35 higher educational institutions and dozens of defence and space sector units are a major attraction for global talent. Around 12 public universities and another 30 private deemed to be varsities have made the city a true global city.
Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka in a chat with Excel India said that Telangana is poised to become bigger and bigger in the coming days. “We know that the city is of massive expansion. Keeping in view, we are making arrangements for expansion of the power sector – transmission and distribution – too,” he said, without going into the controversies elsewhere. Already ahead of other major metro cities as far as land pool and talented youth, Hyderabad and for that matter, Telangana is well placed in the current scenario of parochial controversies.
