India's 29th state Telangana is born

Hyderabad was on the streets on Sunday night as people burst crackers and the sky was lit up in fireworks with the fulfilment of the dream of a new state the demand for which was as old as 60 years. 

K Chandrasekhar Rao, who heads the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party that spearheaded the campaign for a new state, will take oath of office on Monday morning as the first chief minister of the state.

Rao is all over Hyderabad in posters and cut outs while the city is awashed with pink, the colour of the TRS. People waves flags of India as well as the pink flags of TRS. 

Biriyani and sweets were distributed with the formation of the new state at the stroke of midnight.  

A song-  'Jaya Jayahe Telangana' written by lyricist Ande Sri - chosen as the Telangana state song was played across Hyderabad during midnight as the people welcomed the new state.

Hyderabad's iconic Charminar, Golconda Fort, the state assembly and Jubliee Hall were illuminated along with the main streets.

Rao will address the state on Monday laying a road map for the new state.

On Feb 18 this year, the Lok Sabha passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2014 with a voice vote making Telangana a reality.

The State has been divided into Telangana with 10 districts while the residual State of Andhra Pradesh (Seemandhra) will have 13 districts.

Telangana  was part of Princely state of Hyderabad  ruled by the Nizams during the British Raj till 1947, and later until 1948, when it joined the Union of India. In 1956, Hyderabad state was dissolved and Telangana was merged with Andhra State to form the state of Andhra Pradesh. 

With the formation of the state, now Hyderabad will serve as the joint capital of Telangana and  Andhra Pradesh for up to ten years.