Committee on State emblem, statue, song, suggests modifications to suit contemporary Telangana

HYDERABAD: The cabinet sub-committee constituted to finalise the state emblem, statue, and state song held its first meeting at the secretariat on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.

Members of the cabinet sub-committee, Ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Seethakka, and Konda Surekha attended the meeting.

Bhatti Vikramarka reiterated that the emblem should reflect the democratic aspirations of the people and imbibe the culture and traditions of the state. “The symbols of feudalism, autocracy, and dictatorship should have no place in the emblem,” he said.

He also observed that the statue should reflect the common woman of the state. Regarding the state song, he said that the noted poet Andesri should be invited and explained to take up certain modifications to the “Jaya Jaya Hey” song to reflect contemporary times.

He directed the officials to shortlist eminent artists and intellectuals and explain the concept so that they could come up with designs for the emblem and statue.

Tummala Nageswara Rao said that the state emblem, song, and statue should contain those elements that reflect the entire state. Minister Komatireddy Venkatreddy wanted the emblem to contain replicas of Nagarjuna Sagar dam and other important iconic images.

Minister Konda Surekha felt that the state emblem should be redesigned without hurting the sentiments of any community or sect and by carrying forward the opinion of the majority of people. Similarly, the state song should represent all the districts. Minister Seethakka wanted the statue to be redesigned to reflect the image of a Telangana woman depicting the culture and traditional values.

Secretary political Raghunandan Rao, secretary tourism and culture Sailaja Ramiyyar, commissioner I&PR Hanumantha Rao, director protocol Arvinder Singh, and other officials attended the meeting.