Hyderabad, September 06: It was a holiday of unease for most people clued in to the news this week in Hyderabad.
Most schools in the city got a holiday on Thursday, while Government schools and colleges were closed on both days, extending the weekend to four days. While the news of Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy’s demise still hung heavy through the city, a considerable portion of people who got a holiday chose to stay indoors.
Due to the declaration of the State-wide mourning holiday on Thursday and Friday, most commercial spaces, shops and retail outlets were closed. Footfall was low on the streets, while the nooks and crannies bore limited signs of activity.
With the larger shops and markets closed for the period of mourning, smaller establishments and vendors of essential commodities were seen sporadically open for a few hours through the course of Friday. The younger crowds frequenting malls and similar establishments were not to be seen, preferring instead to stay at home and keep updated with the current events surrounding the CM’s demise.
“A few of my friends and I have planned to watch the news and stay at home,” was the curt observation from Asif Shah, a student of 22.
Though some private establishments and offices were open on Friday, the turnout in some cases was lower than normal. “Though we were initially informed that work would commence as per the regular schedule, it turned out that there was a holiday today,” said Ashish Nair, a consultant at a private firm in the City.
With most of the Government offices, banks and public institutions closed, the commercial lanes of the city sported thinning crowds. “We are not expecting many transactions today, and would probably close for the day soon,” noted P Sai Nath, proprietor of a travel agency on Friday morning. Meanwhile, private FM radio stations in the city in keeping with the sombre mood, stuck to a conservative play list of traditional or melancholic tunes.
There was a hushed silence at Paradise centre.
The mourners there discussed the reasons behind the CM’s chopper crash and the impact of his death on his family members. “The outpouring of grief has been spontaneous. But I liked the way his son Jagan Mohan Reddy was composed despite his loss,’’ said Christopher.
“It is tragic that our CM who gave us free medical benefits could meet with such a gory death. God is not fair,’’ said 55-year-old Lakshmi, a maid, who is a beneficiary of the Arogyasri.
Ramulu, a labourer, travelled from Bowenpally to Lal Bahadur Stadium to pay his respects to the Chief Minister. “I had to say goodbye to my leader,” said Ramulu, who managed to enter the stadium with great difficulty.
“Despite seeing the news repeatedly, I still cannot fathom the situation,” observed Sree Kumari, a housewife, who has been glued to TV news broadcasts since Thursday afternoon. How the political stalwart could meet with such a tragic end was the question on the minds of Hyderabadis, as the city staggered on to a gloomy weekend.
-Agencies