No State Formation Day fete for first time

• Govt decides to hold celebrations on June 2 when Telugu-speaking were divided
• It becomes contentious because some view the decision as inappropriate
• It should be observed on November 2 because Andhra Pradesh State continues to exist, some say

Vijayawada: For the first time in 58 years, Andhra Pradesh is not celebrating its formation day on November 1. State Formation Day celebrations were held every year since November 1, 1956 when the Telugu-speaking districts under the rule of Nizam were merged with Andhra state. The State Cabinet, which met on October 30, had decided to observe the State Formation Day on June 2, the appointed day when the State was bifurcated and a new state of Telangana was created. Though there is no ‘Blue Book’ that prescribes rules to be followed like the Republic Day and the Independence Day, there used to be celebrations in every district headquarters and the then State Capital – Hyderabad. The Chief Minister in Hyderabad and the District Collectors in the district headquarters used to receive guard of honour, hoist the National Flag and speak. The children, like in the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, used present programmes. Veteran journalist Turlapati Kutumba Rao felt that the Formation Day should be held on November 1 as the state of Andhra Pradesh continued to exist.

However, some others contended that the Andhra Pradesh formation day should be celebrated on October 1, 1953, the day when the present Andhra Pradesh was carved out from Madras State. Now the State government decided to hold State Formation Day celebrations on June 2 when the united state of Telugu-speaking people was bifurcated.