Hyderabad: Culture Secretary B Venkatesham today said that the government will spend Rs 20 cr for grand celebrations of state festival Bathukamma across the world. Addressing a press conference along with delegates of Brahma Kumaris and officials at Secretariat here he said that to spread the cultural grandeur and lifestyle of Telangana Bathukamma festival will be conducted on a grand note. As election code is on in the state no guests will attend the festivities and people can participate in huge numbers to make it a success he said. For this arrangements have been made in collaboration with Brahma Kumaris and external affairs ministry, he said. The festival will be conducted from Oct 9 to 17 and involve women folk in a large numbers and girls in a big way. For the festivities each district will get Rs 15 lakhs and Rs 2 cr for conducting the event in foreign countries he said.
Venkatesham also said that as part of the festivities, Boddemma event will be conducted from Oct 7 to 9 for girls up to 12 years age and the rest will continue from Oct 9 to 17 he said. He said that 75 women delegates of Brahma Kumaris from 25 foreign countries will play Bathukamma at Hitex in addition to 1000 women including blind, duff, dumb and physically challenged. Cynosure in the event will be para motoring by 50 persons who will decorate the skies with enticing colours and flowers from 12 nations. Also medical camps will be conducted to give iron and folic acid tablets to girls and create awareness on women empowerment to mark the occasion. Chief Secretary SK Joshi wrote a letter to foreign embassies to take steps to ensure that festival literature is made available in their offices he said. The festivities of Bathukamma will be conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Dubai, US, UK Australia, Singapore, Denmark, Poland and other nations he said.
A Bathukmamma Filmostav will be conducted at Ravindra Bharathi from Oct 9 to 16 besides Art camp and photo expo by photographers of 55 nations. On Saddula Bathukamma day laser show, fireworks will attract the audiences besides cultural extravaganza to add to carnival of women, flowers and nature. IT wing will provide related Tableaux for the event and booklets will be distributed among women in Rajadhani and Shatabdhi rails. (NSS)
