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Hyderabad is a boomtown that defies definition. It is a multi-cultural matrix where religious identity is incidental. It welcomes everyone. Let me take you on a visual tour of the city of love.
This is the Jham Singh Temple in Gudimalkapur. Built by a Hindu soldier with money filched from the Nizam, the ruler approved the temple and asked Jham Singh to build a masjid nearby. He did.
We speak many languages. Sometimes in one sentence in no particular order.
Hyderabad means business. These workers were going back during the lockdown. Many of them returned to Hyderabad from their failed states which cannot create employment due to religious and caste considerations.
Hyderabad is synonymous with #biryani but you can have continental food like this.
We have produced patriots like William Macdonald Goodman (his real name was Jim) who fought for the country without making sound and dance about it.
Hyderabad is a city where the architecture spans hundreds of years and is emblematic of its culture.
It also has flashy architecture that speaks to a new generation.
We buy and sell flowers without bothering about the faith of our fathers.
We celebrate every festival with gusto. We used to have communal riots earlier but not anymore.
This is a glimpse of Mamluk architectural element that can be seen in one of our universities. The Omani University.
We also know how to paint our walls.
Have you heard of 'phir chidi raat phoolon ki'? Maqdoom Mohiuddin wrote it as he did:
'Ye jung hai jung-e-azadi, azadi ke parcham ke tale
Hum Hind ke rehne vaalonki, mehkoomonki, majbooronki,
Azadi ke matwaalonki, Dehkaanonki, majdooronki
'Ye jung hai jung-e-azadi, azadi ke parcham ke tale
Hum Hind ke rehne vaalonki, mehkoomonki, majbooronki,
Azadi ke matwaalonki, Dehkaanonki, majdooronki
Before India discovered IT sector and software jobs, we have been creating a skilled workforce without tamasha. The people call this place: United States of Ameerpet.
During Ramzan lockdown, I walked into this 430 year old masjid during Iftaar. I was asked to sit and share the food to break the fast. We share.
This is also a masjid. Designed by Eric Marrett it was commissioned by the Seventh Nizam. The peacocks are natural and we don't need to bring them for posing.
The past exists with the present and we are ready for the future. We don't want some tom, dick or harry to advise us. Don't stir the broth of trouble. Let's have our biryani, paya, Suleimani chai, Osmani biscuit, haleem, harees. Take your food, religious, moral policing elsewhere
