News

Hyderabad, August 15, 2026: Hyderabad joined the nation in celebrating the 80th Independence Day on Saturday with patriotic fervour, flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, Tiranga decorations and illuminated landmarks across the city.

The celebrations began in the morning as residents stepped out to participate in flag-hoisting programmes organised in neighbourhoods, residential colonies, community halls, government offices and various institutions. The national flag was proudly displayed on balconies, rooftops and public spaces, while patriotic songs played across several residential areas, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the city.

Many residents also watched the live broadcast of the Independence Day celebrations from the Red Fort in New Delhi, while others followed the Telangana government’s State-level celebrations at Golconda Fort. The celebrations brought people together to remember the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and reflect on the values of freedom, unity and national pride.

In several parts of Hyderabad, people were seen purchasing paper national flags, Tiranga badges and tricolour accessories. Children and youngsters participated enthusiastically in local celebrations, while families decorated their homes and surroundings with the colours of the national flag.

Flag-hoisting ceremonies were conducted at government institutions, educational establishments, hospitals, community organisations and other public and private institutions. Government hospitals, including Gandhi Hospital, Osmania General Hospital and Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), also organised Independence Day programmes. Doctors, medical staff, patients and visitors participated in the celebrations, adding a patriotic spirit to the hospital campuses.

At Rashtrapati Nilayam, the celebrations witnessed the participation of around 1,300 students from 19 schools. The programme began with a Tiranga rally, followed by cultural performances by students. The young participants showcased their enthusiasm and patriotism through various presentations, making the occasion especially memorable.

For many Hyderabad residents, Independence Day was also an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. With the day being a national holiday, malls, shopping centres, restaurants and popular public spaces witnessed a steady flow of visitors. Families and groups of friends stepped out to enjoy the festive atmosphere across the city.

Hyderabad Glows in Tricolour

As evening approached, the celebrations took on a spectacular visual character. Several prominent landmarks and public buildings across Hyderabad were illuminated in the saffron, white and green colours of the national flag.

The Telangana Secretariat emerged as one of the major attractions of the evening. The grand building, illuminated in the tricolour, drew large crowds who gathered to admire the display and capture photographs and selfies. The illuminated structure created a striking backdrop against the evening sky and became one of the most photographed locations during the celebrations.

The historic Charminar also witnessed a festive atmosphere, with large numbers of residents and visitors gathering around the monument. The tricolour illumination added a special charm to the iconic Hyderabad landmark, attracting youngsters, families and tourists who stopped to take photographs and enjoy the Independence Day celebrations.

From historic monuments to modern government buildings, the illumination of Hyderabad’s landmarks reflected the city’s collective spirit of patriotism. The sight of the national colours lighting up important locations created a sense of pride among residents and added a memorable visual element to the celebrations.

A Celebration of Unity and Patriotism

Across Hyderabad, people from different age groups and communities came together to celebrate Independence Day. From children carrying small flags to senior citizens participating in flag-hoisting programmes, the celebrations reflected the shared connection people have with the national flag and the country’s journey since Independence.

The day was not only about festivities but also about remembering the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and recognising the responsibilities that come with freedom. Schools, organisations, institutions and community groups used the occasion to spread messages of unity, patriotism, social responsibility and a stronger India.

By the end of the day, Hyderabad had celebrated Independence Day with a combination of traditional flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, community gatherings and spectacular tricolour illuminations. The celebrations across the city reflected the pride and enthusiasm of Hyderabad’s residents as they came together to honour the nation.

Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
Vande Mataram! 🇮🇳

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metro Rail is set to receive 60 new coaches in the coming months as the Telangana government accelerates efforts to expand and strengthen the city’s public transport network.

The state government is working towards awarding the manufacturing contract to an Indian company as part of the “Make in India” initiative. According to ABN, officials of Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) have started the process following directions from Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who has instructed officials to finalise the manufacturing company and ensure that the new coaches are rolled out at the earliest.

The addition of 60 coaches is expected to significantly improve the operational capacity of the Hyderabad Metro network. More coaches will allow the metro system to increase services on busy routes, reduce waiting times during peak hours and accommodate the growing number of daily passengers.

The move comes amid increasing demand for reliable and efficient public transportation in Hyderabad. With the city expanding rapidly and traffic congestion becoming a major concern, strengthening the metro network is seen as an important step towards providing commuters with a faster and more convenient alternative to road transport.

The government’s decision to source the coaches from an Indian manufacturer also highlights its focus on domestic manufacturing and the wider Make in India programme. Once the contract is finalised, the manufacturing and delivery schedule will determine when the additional coaches begin entering passenger service.

The expansion is expected to support Hyderabad’s long-term mobility needs and help the metro system play a larger role in reducing road congestion and improving connectivity across the city.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad is also celebrating its 80th Independence Day with a strong tricolour spirit, with patriotic celebrations and the national flag adding to the festive atmosphere across the city.

Hyderabad: Hopes for thalassemia patients have received a boost as the Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) intensifies efforts to facilitate access to gene therapy, an emerging treatment that could reduce patients’ dependence on lifelong blood transfusions.

As part of its initiative, a TSCS delegation recently visited Thailand and other countries with expertise in gene therapy for thalassemia. The visit focused on understanding treatment protocols, assessing medical infrastructure and exploring possibilities for international collaboration.

The delegation was accompanied by renowned bone marrow transplant (BMT) specialist Dr. Sunil Bhat and his team. TSCS representatives who participated in the visit included Dr. Chandrakant Agarwal, President of TSCS; Dr. Suman Jain, Chief Medical Research Officer and Secretary; Mr. Naresh Rathi, Vice President; and Dr. Nishant Mittal, Scientist.

During the visit, the team held discussions with leading gene therapy centres to gain insights into treatment procedures, patient selection, infrastructure requirements and the feasibility of making advanced therapies accessible to patients in India.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Chandrakant Agarwal said the international visit marked an important milestone in TSCS’s efforts to bring advanced treatment options to thalassemia patients across the country.

TSCS plans to work closely with medical experts and international partners to create the necessary foundation for introducing gene therapy access in India. The organisation hopes that greater access to such advanced treatments could improve long-term health outcomes and enhance the quality of life of people living with thalassemia.

For thousands of patients who rely on regular blood transfusions, the development of accessible gene therapy could represent a significant step towards a future with reduced transfusion dependence and improved prospects for long-term health.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based women-led startup AkinAnalytics has launched NIKA2 Kisan Medium Drone, an indigenous multi-purpose agricultural drone aimed at improving efficiency and productivity in farming operations.

The drone was unveiled in New Delhi by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who also witnessed a live demonstration of the platform. The launch highlights the growing role of homegrown drone technology in supporting India’s agriculture sector and addressing the operational challenges faced by farmers.

The NIKA2 Kisan Medium Drone has been designed primarily for agricultural spraying and spreading operations. It can carry a 16-litre spraying payload and a 12-litre spreading payload, allowing farmers and drone operators to use the same platform for multiple farm applications.

One of the key features of NIKA2 is its payload-change mechanism, which enables operators to switch between spraying and spreading functions. This multi-purpose capability can help reduce the need for separate equipment for different agricultural activities and potentially improve operational efficiency.

The drone also incorporates terrain-following technology, allowing it to maintain an appropriate flight path over uneven or sloping terrain. This feature could be particularly useful in plantations, orchards and farms where conventional aerial operations may be challenging because of variations in land elevation.

Safety and operational flexibility are also central to the NIKA2 platform. The drone is equipped with fail-safe features designed to support safer operations, along with night-operation capability, potentially allowing agricultural activities to be carried out beyond conventional daytime working hours.

AkinAnalytics is also looking beyond traditional agricultural applications for its drone technology. The company sees potential in aquaculture, where the platform could be used for feed distribution. It is further exploring opportunities in sectors such as plantations, mining, energy, infrastructure and defence.

The development of NIKA2 reflects the increasing adoption of drone-based solutions across India’s agricultural ecosystem. From crop spraying and spreading to monitoring and other farm-related activities, drones are emerging as an important technology for improving precision, reducing manual effort and supporting more efficient farm management.

With its multi-purpose payload system, terrain-following capabilities and wider range of potential applications, AkinAnalytics’ NIKA2 represents an effort to build indigenous drone technology for diverse operational needs.

As India continues to promote advanced technologies in agriculture and other strategic sectors, innovations such as NIKA2 could play an important role in connecting farmers and industries with modern, locally developed aerial technology.