For the first time, the Rashtrapati Nilayam, the official retreat of the President of India in Hyderabad will host 10,000 students of college as part of 75 years celebrations of Hyderabad Liberation Day. The three-day function to be held from September 15 to 17 will include several competitions including face painting, acting performances, singing, elocution, painting, quizzes, and theatre, as per Dr. K. Rajani Priya, the Estate Manager of RN.
The Rashtrapati Nilayam played a historic role as after the liberation of Hyderabad this was the first place where the National Flag of India – the Tricolour — was hoisted.
The objective is to “productively” engage the student community and inculcate a feeling of unity among them, said Dr. Priya adding that winners of competitions will receive mementos and certificates. There will be Azadi carnivals, acting, dance and music performances too.
Talking to the media, she said that apart from the events planned for the students to mark this historic occasion, the official residence of the President of India will also act as the venue for a kids’ interactive zone, traditional and contemporary art exhibition, community gardening, and a food festival.
The food festival showcasing the diverse cuisine of the erstwhile State of Hyderabad will be organised by students of the Culinary Academy of India, the International Institute of Hotel Management, the hotel management schools run by the State Government and Chefs’ associations.
To provide a touch of tradition, a fashion show will also be organised to promote handloom.
Dr Priya informed the press that students nominated by their respective colleges can register through the website of the Nilayam and this will close at 6 a.m. of September 14.
For conducting the events organised at the Nilayam, seven stages will be erected.
Public rallies will be organised on September 15 and 16 in which participants will carry banners and posters while there will be also display of folk dances and folk instruments and also enactment street plays. On the last day, panel discussions have been planned for narrating stories of Hyderabad’s annexation and to highlight the region’s role in the Indian freedom struggle, and major landmarks of Hyderabad.
Entry for the students will be free while for the general public an entry fee of Rs.50 will be charged and the Rashtrapati Nilayam will remain open till 7 p.m. during these three days.
The Rashtrapati Nilayam was originally called the Residency House and was built in 1850 by Nizam Nazir-ud-Dowla. Following Hyderabad State’s integration into the Indian Union in 1948, it became the President’s retreat and was used as the Southern Sojourn.
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