Warangal Rural Collectorate alight with Bathukamma festivities

Warangal: Warangal Rural Collectorate was abuzz as women employees celebrated Bathukamma by clapping and singing zealously. Making the occasion even more significant was Warangal Rural District Collector M Haritha. It was the District Collector's call to all the district departments to come up with Bathukamma to the Collectorate to celebrate the festival.

Bathukamma, the floral festival celebrated by the women is a manifestation of Telangana culture, Haritha said. Taking part in the Bathukamma celebration along with women belonging to all district departments here on Tuesday, she said that the floral festival is the cultural identity of Telangana people.

"Bathukamma marks worshipping of nature and its bond with the humans. This festival is true symbol of unity. It is a festival, where all people irrespective of their caste, creed and economic status come together," Haritha said.

She said that since the formation of Telangana, the government was giving utmost prominence to the festival. The government had earmarked funds to celebrate the festival on a grand note, she said.

Later, Joint Collector R Mahender Reddy gave away prizes to the employees who participated in the fete. The Bathukamma prepared by the staff of Collectorate won the first prize which carried Rs 5,000 cash award.

While the second prize went to Horticulture Department (Rs 3,000) the third place (Rs 2,000) was clinched by DRDA staff. The consolation prize (Rs 1,000) went to Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

The administration also gave Rs 1,000 to all the departments which participated in the Bathukamma as sign of encouragement. DRO Hari Singh and TNGO Warangal District president Jaganmohan Rao were among other officials present.