As part of the cultural events hosted at IIT Hyderabad from 5th to 8th October, we were delighted to present a curated show of Koyya Bommalata, the traditional string puppet theatre of Telangana. The performance offered delegates an immersive experience of this age-old storytelling art form, blending folklore, music, and craftsmanship.
In addition to the performance, we also conducted a hands-on workshop on Cheriyal Mask Painting, introducing participants to the unique art tradition of Telangana. Attendees explored the process of painting with natural colours, learning the intricate techniques that go into creating these expressive masks.
The event aimed to celebrate and preserve India’s rich cultural heritage while providing participants with an opportunity to engage directly with traditional artisans and practices.
Will cater to students of govt schools from Class VI to SSC
By Sunil Mungara | Hyderabad
The city’s first science centre exclusively for students from Class VI to SSC in government schools within slum areas is all set for inauguration.
The Sir CV Raman Akshaya Vidya Science Centre is being established in collaboration between the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) and city-based NGO Akshaya Vidya Foundation, at a decades-old government school at Tadbun Colony.
SCB Chief Executive Officer, D. Madhukar Naik, provided the school building and land on lease. Varaprasad Tentu, founder chairman of Akshaya Vidya Bhavan, said they converted the classrooms into science labs and equipped them with lab material related to science and technology.
Typically, children in government schools, especially in urban slums, lack exposure to science labs and opportunities for practical experiments.
“This science centre will give a boost to ideas among the children. We are appointing trained instructors to guide the students through practical experiments,” Varaprasad said.
The foundation invested ₹1.5 crore in renovating the school building and adding paintings that reflect science and technology themes. Even the walls of the classrooms are painted with science-oriented themes.
Varaprasad explained that the city-based NGO Akshaya Vidya Foundation aims to provide better education opportunities to children from poor and illiterate families who cannot afford to send their children to corporate schools.
“Children studying in government schools often do not have access to science labs and the new centre seeks to fill that gap,” he added.
They have identified nearly 15 government schools within a 15 km radius in Secunderabad Cantonment to send the children to the science centre.
The new centre is being planned to be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu, who will be visiting the city in December as part of her southern sojourn.
Decades-old government school turned into a science centre
Penathia, a retired army havildar and resident of Tadbun Colony, said the government school where the science centre is coming up was operating for the past five decades with around 100 children.
“But the school’s strength dropped to 20 after parents enrolled their children in local corporate schools. Parents are also reluctant to send their children as they have to cross the National Highway-44, one of the busiest roads in the Cantonment. Thus, the school’s strength dropped,” he said.
A senior SCB official said the school building has served as a polling station for more than five decades.
“With the school not functional, we have allotted it to an NGO to set up a Science Centre, which is more useful for the students studying in slum schools,” the official added.
Hyderabad | October 7, 2025 — The Model Code of Conduct came into effect in Hyderabad district on October 6, following the announcement of the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election, which will be held on November 11.
The bye-election was necessitated by the death of sitting MLA Maganti Gopinath of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in June this year. The BRS has nominated his wife, Maganti Sunitha, as its candidate. The Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are yet to announce their nominees.
Telangana Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudharshan Reddy stated that all necessary arrangements are being made to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election. The Election Commission has also directed all parties and candidates to disclose any criminal antecedents through newspapers, television, and digital platforms.
The official election notification will be issued on October 13.
Last date for filing nominations: October 21
Scrutiny of nominations: October 22
Withdrawal of candidature: October 24
Polling date: November 11
Counting of votes: November 14
Election process completion: November 16
Hyderabad District Returning Officer R.V. Karnan, who also serves as GHMC Commissioner, announced that new voters may register within 10 days of the notification. He confirmed that the Model Code of Conduct is now in effect across Hyderabad district.
Voting will be conducted using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems across all polling stations. Adequate numbers of EVMs have been tested and deployed to ensure smooth polling operations.
Voters can present their EPIC (Voter ID) or any other approved identification document such as Aadhaar, Driving Licence, Passport, PAN Card, or Pension ID. The CEO urged all citizens to verify their names on the electoral rolls and participate actively in the democratic process.
As per the final electoral roll published last week, the Jubilee Hills constituency has 3,99,000 voters — including 2,07,382 males, 1,91,593 females, and 25 third-gender voters. This marks a 3.49% increase from the 3,85,287 voters registered during the 2023 Assembly elections.
Polling will be held across 407 polling stations spread across 139 locations in the constituency.
In the 2023 Assembly elections, BRS candidate Maganti Gopinath scored a hat-trick victory, defeating former Indian cricket captain and Congress candidate Mohammed Azharuddin by 16,337 votes. Gopinath secured 80,549 votes, while Azharuddin polled 64,212. BJP’s L. Deepak Reddy finished third with 25,866 votes, and AIMIM’s candidate came fourth with 7,848 votes.
As part of the Environmental Training and Plastic Awareness Initiative, the Hyderabad College Relations Team of Youth for Seva organized an inspiring Paper Bag Making Activity at St. Ann’s College for Women, Mehdipatnam.
A total of 108 enthusiastic first-year students from the NSS and Dharani Eco Club actively participated, many of them experiencing the joy of making eco-friendly paper bags for the very first time. 💪✨
With incredible creativity and teamwork, the students crafted nearly 250 reusable paper bags in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs — proving that sustainability can be both practical and fun!
Taking their learning beyond the classroom, the students then led a Plastic Awareness Drive in the local community. They distributed their handmade paper bags to fruit vendors and medical shops, spreading the message of sustainability and encouraging a shift away from single-use plastics. 🍃
Through this simple yet impactful initiative, the students of St. Ann’s College showcased how small steps can lead to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future. 🌎💚
Actor Vijay Deverakonda visited the Sri Sathya Sai Mahasamadhi in Puttaparthi, Sri Sathya Sai district, on Sunday. Earlier, he had arrived at Prasanthi Nilayam, where trust members welcomed him at the Shanti Bhavan Guest House. Vijay shares a personal connection with Puttaparthi — he studied at the Sri Sathya Sai School. Wikipedia
Fans also noted that during his recent public appearance in Puttaparthi (at the Mahasamadhi), Vijay was seen wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring. The Indian Express
The 20th edition of Alai Balai was celebrated on Friday at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad, bringing together political leaders, film personalities, and social figures. Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu lauded the event, initiated by late former Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, for promoting unity among people. Stressing the need to rise above caste, religion, and community divisions, he remarked that national unity is essential to avoid destabilising situations like those seen in Nepal. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma echoed the sentiment, stating that serving the common man is akin to serving God, while Bandaru Dattatreya’s daughter Bandaru Vijayalakshmi, chairperson of the Alai Balai Foundation, organised the event this year.
Marking two decades since its inception during the Telangana movement, Alai Balai continues to stand as a symbol of cultural pride, social bonding, and political harmony. The gathering was attended by a host of dignitaries including Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, actor Akkineni Nagarjuna, retired CJI NV Ramana, former Governor Vidyasagar Rao, BJP MP Dr K Laxman, MRPS founder Manda Krishna Madiga, actor Brahmanandam, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, CPI leaders Narayana and Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao, senior Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao, and TJS chief Kodandaram.
Hyderabad, September 26, 2025: In a major shift, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has divested its stake in Phase 1 of the Hyderabad Metro project, clearing the way for the Telangana government to take full control of operations and planning.
With L&T’s exit, the state administration is now positioned to steer the project unilaterally, manage debt and equity settlements, and fast-track expansion plans under Phase 2, which envisages an additional 163 km of metro lines.
What Changed & What’s Next
L&T’s divestment: The move signals L&T’s withdrawal from the original public-private partnership model for Metro operations in Hyderabad.
Government control: Telangana will now oversee all functions (operations, maintenance, expansion) previously managed under the PPP framework.
Phase 2 acceleration: With the government at the helm, authorities intend to push forward with the next expansion phase covering 163 km, potentially reducing delays caused by coordination or financial bottlenecks.
Debt & equity settlement: A key task ahead is reconciling the financial obligations from the initial contracts and ensuring smooth transition of assets and liabilities.
Implications & Challenges
Greater control, but greater responsibility While the government will enjoy full decision-making power, it also bears the full burden of cost, risk, and execution challenges that come with large urban transit projects.
Speed vs. capacity Fast-tracking expansion is positive for city mobility, but the government must ensure it has the technical, managerial, and financial capacity to sustain high standards in safety, service, and maintenance.
Stakeholder coordination Transitioning from a PPP model to a fully government-run system means reworking contracts, staffing, equipment maintenance, and integration with existing systems.
Public expectations Commuters and city planners will be watching closely: delays, operational glitches, or service quality dips could invite criticism and erode public trust.
Outlook
With L&T’s exit, Telangana has a unique opportunity to reshape Hyderabad’s metro future under its own vision and timetable. If it manages the financial transition and execution well, the city could see faster expansion and more integrated urban mobility. But missteps in execution or oversight could weigh heavily.
Would you like me to also write a short “citizen impact” version — how this affects daily commuters — or pull in expert voices (real or hypothetical) to enrich the blog?
Hyderabad: In a significant step towards ensuring women’s safety, the Telangana Police Women Safety Wing has launched a Safe Mobility Initiative in collaboration with multiple transport agencies to curb harassment in public and private transport across Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda.
The initiative is being carried out in partnership with the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), Hyderabad Metro Rail, Transport Department, and Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC). It covers buses, metro trains, autos, and private transport vehicles.
How Women Can Report Harassment
The new drive makes it easier for women to seek immediate help in case of harassment.
Inform bus conductors or auto drivers – they will act as first responders.
Use the Metro alert system to report incidents.
Call Dial 100 or 112 directly for immediate assistance.
Conductors and drivers have been trained to alert emergency services right away, triggering a quick response by police patrol teams and She Teams.
Strong Coordination Between Agencies
Each participating organisation will appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with the Women Safety Wing. The wing will monitor every complaint, investigation, and outcome to ensure accountability.
TGSRTC conductors will undergo special training to handle complaints and assist women in distress. Police patrolling units will respond promptly, and offenders will be handed over to She Teams for further action.
Officials noted that harassment in crowded public spaces often goes unreported because offenders are strangers and victims feel that lodging complaints will not bring results. This initiative seeks to break that pattern by enabling faster reporting, quicker police intervention, and stricter action against offenders.
The goal is to not only protect women but also shift public attitudes and discourage harassment that has often been normalised in public spaces.
The Asia Cup 2025 final was more than just a cricket match — it was a spectacle, a statement, and a moment of national pride. When India secured a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai, the celebrations weren’t limited to the stadium. Across the nation, fans rejoiced, and even the highest offices in the country joined in to salute the team’s heroic performance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a powerful message that immediately went viral:
“#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.”
His words perfectly captured the mood of the nation, framing this win as both a sporting and symbolic triumph, given the tense backdrop following the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor.
Political Leaders Join the Applause
Union Home Minister Amit Shah was quick to hail the team’s performance, writing:
“A phenomenal victory. The fierce energy of our boys blew up the rivals again.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also celebrated the moment, tweeting:
“Congrats to Team India on winning the Asia Cup. New India delivers.”
Even ICC chairman Jay Shah chimed in, saying:
“Congratulations to Team India on lifting the Asia Cup 2025! A proud moment for Indian cricket as Team India showcases excellence, consistency, and character on the biggest stage. Kudos to the players and support staff for a stellar campaign.”
The Match That Had It All
The final was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Chasing 147, India stumbled early, finding themselves at 20/3 and later 77/4. But 21-year-old Tilak Varma rose to the occasion, playing with composure well beyond his years. His unbeaten 69 off 51 balls, studded with three fours and four sixes, was the anchor that held the innings together.
Varma’s crucial 60-run partnership with Shivam Dube (33) brought India back into the contest. The tension peaked in the final over with India needing 10 runs from six balls. Varma smashed a towering six, and Rinku Singh sealed the victory with a boundary, triggering wild celebrations from fans in the stadium and across the country.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Magic with the Ball
Earlier in the match, Pakistan looked set for a big total after racing to 84 without loss, thanks to Sahibzada Farhan’s 57 and Fakhar Zaman’s 46. But Kuldeep Yadav turned the game on its head with a sensational spell of 4/30.
His 17th over — a stunning burst of three wickets in four balls — dismantled Pakistan’s middle order, including the prized scalp of skipper Salman Agha. From 84/0, Pakistan collapsed to 146 all out in just 19.1 overs, losing nine wickets for a mere 33 runs.
More Than Just Cricket
This was India’s third win over Pakistan in the tournament, reaffirming their dominance and setting the tone for next year’s T20 World Cup. Yet, the match wasn’t without drama off the scoreboard.
There were no handshakes at the toss or after the game, reflecting the continuing political tension between the two nations. Jasprit Bumrah even mimicked Haris Rauf’s earlier crowd gesture after dismissing him, adding another layer of intensity to the rivalry.
#OperationSindoor – A Symbolic Victory
For fans, this was more than just a title. Modi’s words — “#OperationSindoor on the games field” — became the defining image of the night.
It was a reminder that even on the cricket field, India continues to rise to every challenge. Tilak Varma’s calm finish, Kuldeep Yadav’s spin brilliance, and the team’s unyielding spirit turned the Asia Cup 2025 final into a historic night.
India has now lifted a record-extending ninth Asia Cup trophy, and if this performance is any indication, the Men in Blue are ready to take on the world in the T20 World Cup next year.
