Patriotic fervour and gaiety marked the 69th Republic Day celebrations in both the Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The national flag was unfurled at the main official functions in Hyderabad and Vijayawada, in all district headquarters, government institutions and offices of all political parties.
Governor of both the states, E.S.L. Narasimhan led the celebrations. For the fourth year in a row, he first unfurled the national flag in Hyderabad before leaving for Andhra Pradesh to do the honours.
The Governor reviewed the colourful parade at Parade Grounds in Hyderabad. Military and police contingents participated in the parade.
Addressing the parade, the Governor said the three-and-a-half-year-old state Telangana was marching ahead on the path of development, living up to the people's expectations and becoming a role model for other states.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, his cabinet colleagues and senior officials participated in the function.
The Governor later flew to Vijayawada, where he unfurled the national flag at the Municipal Grounds. He reviewed the parade.
In his speech on the occasion, he said overcoming the post-bifurcation hurdles, Andhra Pradesh was achieving all-round development. He claimed that "85 per cent people in the state are happy".
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu could not attend the function as his return from Davos was delayed.
Telangana Assembly Speaker Madhusudhana Chary unfurled the flag at a ceremony held in the Assembly premises.
At Telangana Bhavan, the headquarters of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), senior leader and Home Minister N. Narasimha Reddy unfurled the national flag.
Telangana State Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy unfurled the national flag at Gandhi Bhavan, the state headquarters of the party.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other parties organised the Republic Day celebrations at their offices in both the states.
Actor and Jana Sena party chief Pawan Kalyan participated in the Republic Day function held at the party office in Hyderabad.
Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi unfurled the tricolour at Madina circle in the old city.
MIM Joint Secretary Hussain Anwar unfurled the national flag at Darussalam, the party headquarters.
--IANS
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