Bathukamma Promotes Environmental Conservation, Women’s Empowerment: Telangana Governor
Speaking at Bathukamma celebrations at Amberpet MCH Ground in Hyderabad, the Governor said the festival symbolised Telangana’s cultural identity, women’s empowerment, love for nature and social unity.
The event was organised under the leadership of Union Minister for Culture G. Kishan Reddy. The Governor’s wife, Janaki Shukla, and MP K. Laxman were among those present.
A 72-foot-tall Bathukamma, made with nearly 25 quintals of flowers, was the main attraction. A large number of women participated in the celebrations, singing traditional folk songs and performing dances.
Shukla said the nine-day festival reflected Telangana’s rich folk traditions and close relationship with nature. The use of indigenous flowers such as Thangedu, Gunugu and marigold in arranging Bathukamma highlighted this bond, he said.
He noted that the festival brought women from different age groups and social backgrounds together, promoting harmony and helping preserve cultural traditions.
The Governor said the tradition of immersing Bathukamma in water bodies underscored the importance of protecting the environment and conserving water. In view of the low rainfall recorded this year, he urged people to use water judiciously.
He also observed that Bathukamma had played a significant role in uniting people during the Hyderabad Liberation Movement and the Telangana statehood movement, serving as an expression of the region’s cultural identity.
Recalling the festival’s national recognition, Shukla said the Union Ministry of Culture had organised Bathukamma celebrations at Kartavya Path in New Delhi in September 2022.
He called upon people to preserve Telangana’s cultural heritage for future generations while safeguarding natural resources and extended greetings on Bathukamma, Navaratri and Dasara.
TNT TS
