Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Monday celebrated the Republic Day with pomp and gaiety with the governor flying from one state to the other to hoist the national flag.
E.S.L. Narasimhan, who is serving as the governor of both the Telugu states, had the honour of unfurling the Tricolor at the main official functions both in Vijayawada and Hyderabad.
The governor, who had reached Vijayawada last night, began the day by hoisting the national flag at 8 a.m. at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Vijayawada.
He reviewed the colourful parade, took the salute and addressed the gathering, which included Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, his cabinet colleagues and top officials.
The parade had a limited number of police contingents and tableaux. The governor was seen checking the time on his wrist watch. He rushed through the prepared text to ensure that he reaches Hyderabad, about 270 km away, in time for the flag hoisting at 10.30 a.m.
After the speech and presentation of medals to police officers for their meritorious services, Narasimhan left for Hyderabad in a helicopter.
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The governor hoisted the national flag and reviewed the parade at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, his cabinet colleagues and top police and civil officials attended the celebrations.
This was the first Republic Day celebrations in the two states after bifurcation and the governor had to perform the task of hoisting the Tricolour in both the states.
Telangana Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao had departed from traditional practice of hoisting the flag at Parade Grounds and did the honours at the historic Golconda Fort on the occasion of Independence Day but Republic Day celebrations continued to be organized at Parade Grounds.
In Andhra Pradesh, the Independence Day celebrations were held in Kurnool but the government this time preferred Vijayawada, where it is also building the new state capital.