Taking a new step, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will be distributing sarees to women across the state. This is being done to mark the celebration of Bathukamma, a regional festival. CM announced that the state will gift free sarees to over one crore women on the auspicious occasion.
"Bathukamma festival is an integral part of the Telangana life and culture. This festival is a symbol of family relationships. The state government has decided to distribute sarees on this occasion to enable people to celebrate the festival with more enthusiasm," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office quoted him as saying.
Rao said that the government will present the gift to women irrespective of their caste, community or religion, adding that the sarees would be distributed through ration shops to 1,04,57,610 women from September 18-20."We have distributed clothes to Muslims on Ramzan and Christians on Christmas. But for Bathukamma festival, we have decided to gift sarees to the poor women from all communities and castes," he said.He urged all MPs, ministers, legislators and other public representatives to make the saree distribution programme a success.
In a meeting, the Chief Minister examined the quality of sarees and expressed consent on the material. He said that the handloom and power loom sectors have been given the responsibility of manufacturing sarees that have to be distributed. Purchasing sarees from the sector that is on the verge of death also aims at providing employment to the weavers and workers. The situation in the state is grim as a couple of weavers have ended their lives due to lack of work.
Bathukamma in Telugu means Mother Goddess come Alive or Goddess Maha Gauri- Life Giver. It is a floral festival of the state, celebrated for nine days with great enthusiasm and zeal.
(With IANS inputs)
