Alai Balai, where people embrace and exchange greetings the day after Dussehra, was held on Thursday at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad. It was organised by former Governor Bandaru Dattatreya and his daughter Bandaru Vijayalakshmi, who chairs the Alai Balai Foundation. This year's theme was "Nasha Mukt Bharat – Viksit Bharat".
A festival with a message
Dattatreya called the event a chance for people to come together across caste, religion, politics and region. "Festivals should not merely be occasions for celebration, they need to carry a message for the society," he said. He said Telangana and Andhra Pradesh should grow by helping each other, and their people should stay friends without regional feelings.
A joint push against drugs
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said Alai Balai stands for social harmony and Telangana's cultural heritage, and brings people together across political and ideological lines. He said drug abuse is a serious threat to young people and cannot be tackled by the police alone. He called on government agencies, schools and colleges, and social groups to work together for a drug-free India by 2029.
Organisers had said ahead of the event that this is the 20th edition of Alai Balai. They said it usually draws 30,000 to 40,000 people and showcases Telangana folk arts such as Dappu and Oggu Dolu.
