Monday, September 23, 2013

Telangana: How long does it take to create a new capital city?

If one were to listen to the current arguments positioned by Seemandhras, the central government in New Delhi, and some of our Telangana leaders, you may actually start believing that creating a new capital city is indeed a time consuming and complex process that could take many years.  There is a general consensus amongst many stakeholders that it may take as much as ten years for Seemandhras to create a new capital city.   While Seemandhras believe that they may need many decades because they hope to create an exact replica of Hyderabad before they let go Hyderabad, many naïve Telangana concede that it is only ‘fair’ to allow Seemandhras to continue using Hyderabad as temporary capital for a period of ten years.

Does it really take so many years to create a new capital city as we are being led to believe?

Let’s look at some real examples from geopolitical history and see if there is any merit in this common belief shared by most Seemandhras and some Telanganas. 

When the Labor Party came to power in England in 1945 following the World War II, they had an explicit agenda – to grand independence to its biggest colony, the Indian subcontinent.  Lord Mountbatten was chosen as the last Viceroy to oversee the transition of power from the King of England to the people of the subcontinent. 

In a press conference held on 3rd June 1947, Lord Mountbatten announced the date when the Indian subcontinent would become independent.  It is believed that Mountbatten chose 15th August because two years ago, on the same day, Japan had surrendered to Allied Forces where Mountbatten presided over the ceremony.  With that announcement it became evident that the Indian subcontinent, with a history of nearly three thousand years, will be divided in matter of two months – borders will be drawn, nations created, and a new capital city formed.  But, there was no talk of sharing New Delhi as the capital for two countries.  Instead, a new capital city for Pakistan was created out of the existing city of Karachi.   All it took for a new nation to have its own capital city was just two months

Czechoslovakia, a country in Central Europe, got divided into Czech Republic and Slovakia.  The constitutional act was passed in November of 1992 and the two new nations came into existence on 1st January 1993.   It took only two months for Slovakia to have a new capital city in Bratislava.

Let’s take a look at the division of states in post-Independent India.  When Madhya Pradesh was formed out of erstwhile states of Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh and Bhopal State, a new capital city was created out of the existing city of Bhopal.  The officials living the erstwhile capital cities of Nagpur, Indore and Rewa moved into Bhopal when the state was created.   The act was passed on 31st August 1956.   Madhya Pradesh with Bhopal as capital city was created on 1st November 1956.  It took only two months to create a new capital city. 

In the same way, new capital cities were created out of existing towns of Ranchi and Raipur for Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh respectively.  The bills received President’s assent on 25th August 2000.  Chhattisgarh was formed on 1st November, and Jharkhand was formed on 15th November of the same year.  It took less than three months to create new capital cities.  The old capital cities were not shared. 

Lessons from history

Looking at these precedents from geopolitical history, it is pretty clear that a new nation or a new state can operate out of an existing city from day one after the division.  It does not take more than two months.  Most often the necessary infrastructure is already available in the district headquarters of many towns.  Some states go on to build a completely new capital city at a later point of time – like Gujarat which built Gandhinagar close to Ahmedabad.  Pakistan built Islamabad in 1960.

Sharing of cities after the division of states or nations is NOT a common practice anywhere on the planet – and there are valid reasons for it.  A formula for sharing capital city may work out only in rare instances like when the division has been imposed by an external party against your interest, or when the city shows the necessary attributes of being shared, like in case of Punjab and Haryana sharing Chandigarh.  The example of Chandigarh is not the norm but an exceptional exception.  There was no widespread people’s movement in Punjab or Haryana prior to the division.  Chandigarh was not a historical city; it was an artificially created new city without any historical affiliation to either of the states.  Also, it landed right on the border for two new states. 

To believe that sharing of capital city even after the division is ‘unavoidable’ or that it is ‘fair’ is actually dangerous and runs counter to all tenets of geopolitical wisdom.   There is an underlying reason why the new states and new nations operate out of new capital cities right from the first day of the division.  

The original premise for most divisions is that at least one of the regions has sought separation and has made a compelling case for it.  The division is proposed as a solution to a problem that originates from two distinct regions unable to coexist under the same administrative setup.  In such a situation imposing a shared capital to two newly formed states creates more complicated problems instead of providing a solution. 

Forcing those two new states to continue to share a capital city even after the division runs counter to the very premise on which these two states were created.  It is like forcing a couple seeking separation to live together after the divorce.  If they could have shared a capital amicably then why did they seek separation in the first place? For this obvious reason no sane society would like consciously force the newly formed entities to continue sharing cities. 

Especially given the history of nearly six decades of conflict between Telanganas and Seemandhras in the united Andhra Pradesh where people of Telanganas have been seeking separation, proposing a solution that would involve sharing of a city will be a historic blunder. 

It is pretty evident from the history of creation of new capital cities that it does not take much time - either it is new nations or new states.  And yet, Seemandhras have created this fictitious notion that it is a very complicated procedure which could take many years.  And unfortunately, it looks like our innocent Telanganas have fallen for this convoluted argument.  Some of our Telangana leaders are prepared to accommodate Seemandhras to continue to operate out of Hyderabad not realizing how and why such sharing could lead to far bigger and dangerous problems for Telangana.

Instead of the solving the problem, India would push Telangana into another quagmire which could take another sixty years to extricate itself.   It is like introducing new wounds to fester.  These wounds will eventually consume these two new states forever, creating more friction and more animosity between the people.   A clean slate Telangana is what is needed – without sharing the capital city even for one day after the division.  

Addendum:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6y4dKZ1clA

Addendum:

35 comments:

  1. What use growth is to me when I can't buy three basic needs of my life without a lot of effort? Home, Food, clothes and Medicine.

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  2. So you Telanganas can create a capital in Warangal in 2 months as you are asking for a separate state. Good article Sujai. The one who asks for separation create their capital and like you said it takes just 2 months.

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    Replies
    1. The one who asked for separation doesn't have to create that capital city if the capital city is already within their region - like Maharashtra which sought a separate state got Bombay as their capital city.

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    2. Would you have asked for Seperation if Hyd wasn't in your region? Easy to shit stuff my friend. 2 months is enough to name a capital not to create one. When Seemadhra people say it will take decades to build a capital, they mean a capital city which has good infrastructure and oppurtunities for people to settle there. For eg, if Hyd was made a UT would telangan be able to create another capital in 2 months?

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    3. Would you have asked for Seperation if Hyd wasn't in your region?

      Yes.

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    4. Hello. Maharashtra never asked for separation. It was Gujarat which was asking for a separation and laid claim to Mumbai. Please dont distort facts because it suits you.

      Maybe you will act as moderator and not publish this but hope you realise that your lies will not stand for a long time.

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    5. Why did Maharashtrians die in Mumbai? What was Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti for?

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    6. http://sujaiblog.blogspot.in/2011/01/telangana-73-are-we-condemned-to-repeat.html

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    7. Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti like Vishalandhra Mahasabha and Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha asked for integrating the marathi speaking part to Maharashtra and the telugu speaking to AP and the kannads speaking to Karnataka.

      So please dont distort history.

      The Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti never asked the Gujaratis to get out. It was the Gujaratis who wanted a separate state.

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    8. Did SMS want Gujarathis part of Maharashtra? Or did they want to be separated from Gujarathis?

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    9. THe SMS played a role and wanted the erstwhile Marathi speaking parts of Hyd state to be part of Maharashtra. They also want karwan and belgaum too even now. What they fought was against Gujaratis asking for Mumbai to be for UT when Gujaratis wanted a separation. The SMS never asked Gujaratis to form their own state. It was Gujaratis who asked for it.

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    10. >>>>SujaiSeptember 24, 2013 2:11 PM
      The one who asked for separation doesn't have to create that capital city if the capital city is already within their region - like Maharashtra which sought a separate state got Bombay as their capital city.
      >>>>>>>
      As per Sujai the author,If capital is existed why telangana need new capital..The answer is
      Kurnool was capital and it has been moved to hyderabad...So I prefer let Capital go to Warangal for Telangana and Kuronool for Seemandhra and make Hyderabad as UT..Jai Warangal,Jai Kakatiya Rajas..Jai Jai Krishnadevaraya I am not Jai for Nijam.I also like to show warangal and say proudly, we telangana people can create capital in just two months.

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  3. As Hyderabad is capital many central government ofices,Research centers,universities are established in hyderabad.If separate state comes, how it is possible in a months of time will the new state get?

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    Replies
    1. Your questions are answered here:

      http://sujaiblog.blogspot.in/2013/09/how-long-does-it-take-to-create-new.html

      http://sujaiblog.blogspot.in/2013/09/arguments-concerning-hyderabad.html

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  4. After few years in Waranga some one will raise "Warangal" movement that they are not treated equally in jobs,funds,facilities..etc, so they ask separate state.Will it be OK separating from Telangana?I do not why Teangana people feel that they are extraordinary,sentiments..etc, don't they think in India everyone have the same feelings?

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    Replies
    1. Will it be OK separating from Telangana?

      Yes, it will OK. They have to make a case as Telangana did. And if it indeed genuine, I will support it. But no such case has risen so far. Also, I do not endorse that cities should be allowed to be separated from their regions just because it is now filled with immigrants.

      I do not why Teangana people feel that they are extraordinary,sentiments..etc, don't they think in India everyone have the same feelings?

      In fact what Telangana people feel is not 'extraordinary'. In 1953 Andhras felt the same when they were part of Madras State. So far, sixteen new states have been formed in this country since then. What's happening in Telangana is not 'extraordinary' - it has happened nearly sixteen times before in this country. And it is bound to happen another sixteen times in the next decade. We may end up having 40 to 50 states.

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  5. Telangana leaders are blaming andhra that they are taking Telangana jobs,seemandhra people are looing elangana in business..etc.If so why telangana people are going abroad and doing jobs and business, why can't they stay in only in telangana?Thos telangana people are not looting american jobs?

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    Replies
    1. Are you talking of private jobs or government jobs?

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    2. So do you mean if separate sate means will get more jobs?if telangana divided 10 states, will we telangana people get more jobs?to avoid some percentage of issues in jobs say for sake few thousand/lakh jobs do you prefer to divide state?

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    3. So do you mean if separate sate means will get more jobs?if telangana divided 10 states, will we telangana people get more jobs?

      That's a dumb question. Looks like you just woke up now - clearly you don't know anything about Telangana Movement. Read about GO 610, Girglani Commission, and then post a new question - I will be happy to answer it. Please don't ask questions just for the sake of asking questions. Please read - it will do you good in the long run.

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    4. I am dumb telangana person and I do not want to fight for separate telangana blindly wihout knowing the reasons, that is the reason I am asking question to know answers I read GO 610.Is it not asy to implement GO 610 rather than creating separate state?Is it not easy to fight for GO 610 instead of separating?Is it not expensive for a Indian givernment to create separate state, separate assembly,separate courts,separate RTO..Changing vehice numbers...etc?

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    5. Hi Sujai,
      I have read this comment in one news paper.What is your view on this?
      --------------------------------
      the 610 G0 is the creation of Thackeray type pseudo national fellows it will nothing to do with the creation of creating and providing employment it is the globalization period.there is no zonal system exist in other states except in andhrapradesh but why again all these fuss.Number of employees are suffering due to this attitude.The spirit of nationality is dyeing due to the vested interests of politicians.They can implement for the present recruitment now onwards .But why disturbing the employees already recruited. Why this type of law not there in public sectors and central government employees.I think the entire episode is politically motivated

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    6. >>I am dumb telangana person

      I get that.

      >>it not asy to

      no, it is not easy. Why....you will understand only if you read.

      Still not convinced? well..so this is not a good place to you, you are welcome to fight against Telangana formation. :)

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    7. the 610 G0 is the creation of Thackeray type pseudo national fellows it will nothing to do with the creation of creating and providing employment it is the globalization period.there is no zonal system exist in other states except in andhrapradesh but why again all these fuss.

      We had agreed to these conditions before the merger in 1956. They are protected by Article 371-D of Indian Constitution. If one wants to remove them, yes, it is possible - once we become a new state called Telangana.

      Delete
  6. Why Telangana leaders are asking only separate state?Why can't separate country?
    Hyderabad was 5th largest city in 1960 and rich in funds, so why can't it can be separate country.
    Punjab was rich at the time of Independence time, it could have been separate country, poor innocent state, it is sharing their money to other states in India.
    Like all state to be separate countries...this is what this blog is teaching to fellow indians.
    Being separate is not great thing, if you have knowledge share to people and ask them to fight for equal justice

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    Replies
    1. >> Being separate is not great thing,

      Seemandraits didn't had this wisdom when they were in Madras. lol.

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    2. So do you now that we tealngana people also do not have wisdom now?

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    3. Yes, every one should get atleast one chance to taste it :))

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  7. Why Telangana leaders are asking only separate state?Why can't separate country?

    Because we continue to believe in Indian Constitution. We believe Article 3 of Indian Constitution was designed to take care of aspirations like ours.

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  8. Now Jagan is out, it is impossible for them to build new buildings for new capital for seemandra, lol. చేసుకున్నోడికి చేసుకున్నంత, దోపిడీ కాబడితే ఎలా ఉంటుందో రుచి చూపిస్తాడు మీ అందరికి, హహహ

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    Replies
    1. What's making you presume he won't continue to loot Telangana after it's separated? IMO, No one would prefer to loot one's own house. The Indian brotherhood of corruption has no state, religion, language, sex, creed, caste :)

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  9. Aaa adrustam manaku kooda vundi.KCR,KTR,KAVITHA,HARISH RAO.
    Naaku ippatiki artham kani vishyam entante enduku KCR,TDP loki raakunda munde Jagan laga Rashtranni looti cheyyaledu?Bahusha Seemandhra vaallu vunte ekkuvaga looti cheyyaledana?Asalu KCR ennisaarly Parlament samaveshalaku attend ayyadu?Tealngana vaallaki emi saadinchaadu?

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  10. Semms like the author of this article isn't aware that division is being forced on the seemandhra people and it's seemandhra people who have to build a new capital while telangana people who want a seperate state don't have to build a new capital.

    its telangana poeple who are asking seperate state and the state is being given to seemandhra poeple.

    To simply put it, telangana poeple are asking seemandhra people to go out in the name of seperate state..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Division of states is nothing to do with capital cities. A state can have its capital city wherever it wants. For example, Gujarat constructed a new one in Gandhinagar - moved it from Ahmedabad. Assam constructed one in Dispur after Meghalaya separated taking away the capital city Shillong.


      To simply put it, telangana poeple are asking seemandhra people to go out in the name of seperate state..


      Nobody is asking anyone to go out. We are asking for bifurcation of the state. You are just worked up in semantics like 'new state'. The reorganization bill does not talk that language - it says the existing state is Andhra Pradesh, and the new successor states are - Telangana and Seemandhra/Andhra Pradesh.

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  11. >>Tealngana vaallaki emi saadinchaadu?

    తెలంగాణా వాళ్లకు వాళ్ళ రాష్ట్రం సాదిస్తా నని చెప్పాడు, సాదించాడు.

    >>Kurnool was capital and it has been moved to hyderabad

    No, they did not moved. They did not moved those tents to Hyderabad.

    ReplyDelete

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