Tuesday, July 1, 2025

REPORTERS’ DIARY: Telangana Unlikely to Roll Out Red Carpet for Miss World Again

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The glitz of Miss World may have dazzled Hyderabad briefly, but it seems the state has had enough of the chaos that followed. During a recent press conference, when a reporter casually asked whether Telangana would consider hosting the global pageant again, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar didn’t even need to say a word—his expression did all the talking. Those present sensed what many in the government have been whispering behind the scenes: they’re simply not keen. The drama, the backlash, and the unnecessary political noise seem to have drained any leftover enthusiasm. Congress leaders, too, appear fed up, especially with the online spin that’s followed the event. BRS social media accounts have been actively sharing clippings from the Miss World function, laced with insinuations targeting Congress leaders. But the trolling spree hasn’t gone unnoticed—police cases are quietly piling up against several BRS digital foot soldiers, signalling that the ruling party is drawing the line. In political circles, there’s a growing sense that the Miss World saga was more trouble than it was worth. From snide commentary to legal fallout, the event seems to have left behind more tension than trophies.

Tummala’s Raj Bhavan Quip Leaves Reporters in Splits
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageshwara Rao brought his signature mix of humour and evasion to the Secretariat on Saturday, using his wit to deflect persistent queries about the rumoured cabinet expansion. Holding a press meet on a holiday, he quipped that he didn’t want reporters to relax too much over the weekend — so he summoned them to work. But it was his cheeky comment on Raj Bhavan visits that had the press gallery buzzing. When asked whether he’d be part of the cabinet reshuffle reportedly scheduled for Sunday, Tummala shot back that he only goes to Raj Bhavan when taking oath as a minister. Otherwise, he joked, it’s not a place he visits often. Despite the light tone, reporters pressed him for clarity. Tummala insisted he had no information about any cabinet expansion, claiming he first heard about it through news channels. If something were to happen, he said, he’d come to Hyderabad after attending a few family weddings—only if he gets an official invite. While the reporters left with more smiles than scoops, Tummala’s remarks did little to clear the air on the ever-looming cabinet reshuffle. For now, it seems, the only confirmed plan in his schedule is wedding-hopping.

Chopper Politics Takes Flight as Trivikram, Anand Sai Tag Along with Pawan
In Andhra Pradesh, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s chopper rides have become a regular affair—and largely understandable, given his position and political stature. But what’s raising eyebrows is the constant presence of two unlikely co-passengers: filmmaker Trivikram and architect Anand Sai. The duo seem to be accompanying Pawan on a majority of his aerial journeys, prompting murmurs about what exactly their role is. While Pawan’s official capacity allows him the liberty of air travel, political analysts and the public are beginning to question the optics of the non-official tagalongs. In neighbouring Telangana, helicopter usage by ministers has already come under scrutiny—with both opposition and citizens questioning frequency and purpose. Yet, as analysts point out, most Telangana ministers are at least using the service for governance-related field visits. That’s where the contrast gets stark. What official work do Trivikram and Anand Sai have as they hop state to state in government-sponsored airspace? Are these rides merely symbolic or is there a shadow advisory cabinet forming mid-air? While Pawan loyalists defend the rides as part of broader planning and coordination, critics say the chopper has become more of a campaign podium than a tool of governance. For now, as the trio continues its aerial trail, the ground reality is filled with questions—and no flight plan answers.

GTFA Jury’s Bizarre Choices Raise Eyebrows
Gaddar Telugu Film Awards have stirred a quiet storm in industry circles, with many pointing to glaring lapses in the special awards segment. Despite the rich legacy of women in Telugu cinema, not a single special award went to a female artiste. Names like P Susheela, Vanisri, and Sharada were widely expected to be recognised, but the jury’s choices remained disappointingly one-sided. The decision, some felt, came out of nowhere and signalled a lack of direction in the jury’s process. There’s also unease over the jury seemingly forgetting what the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award actually stands for. Instead of celebrating cinematic trailblazers, critics say the awards veered off course. Each nomination reportedly required a payment of Rs. 25,000, a detail that has only added to the criticism. Several Film critics felt that the GTFA jury failed to deliver a fair and balanced awards lineup. What was meant to be a tribute to cinema ended up revealing deeper gaps in judgement.

BRS Slams Revanth’s T-Shirt, But Gen Z Isn’t Buying It
BRS seems to have found fault with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s wardrobe, turning his recent meeting with newly inducted IAS and IPS officers into a controversy over clothing. BRS leader Sravan Dasoju criticised the Chief Minister for attending the event in a collarless T-shirt, describing it as a casual appearance that lacked the dignity expected of a leader addressing future nation-builders. He felt that the moment called for more formality and claimed that such casualness from the top was beginning to erode discipline and dignity in governance.However, fashion experts weren’t convinced by the outrage. Stylists and designers familiar with Gen Z preferences pointed out that today’s youth do not see formals as the sole symbol of respect or authority. For them, clothing is more about self-expression than sticking to a dress code. A crisp kurta, a relaxed tee, or even sneakers paired with traditional wear—everything now fits into the modern vocabulary of leadership, as long as it feels real and confident. Experts in political branding observed that the global shift in leadership style has been towards relatability rather than rigidity. Many young professionals and leaders today consciously reject formality to appear more accessible. Telangana’s youth, they noted, are more likely to connect with a leader who doesn’t dress like he belongs to a bygone era. Interestingly, this wardrobe critique only reinforced what some analysts have been saying for months—that BRS continues to miss the pulse of the younger generation. While Revanth appears to understand his audience and reflect their mindset, BRS risks being seen as tone-deaf by clinging to outdated expectations of decorum. For a party hoping to reclaim lost ground, reading beyond the dress code might be a good place to start.

Minister Savitha Sparks Controversy by Throwing Bouquet
Minister Savitha has once again stirred controversy with her behavior, this time by throwing away a bouquet presented by Penukonda Tahsildar Sridhar during an official event held in the presence of District Collector Chetan. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism.

Observers pointed out that even if a bouquet is not appreciated, it should be respectfully declined, not thrown aside publicly. This isn’t the first time the minister has courted controversy.

In November last year, Savitha made a contentious remark in the Legislative Council, claiming that due to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) funds during YS Jagan’s tenure, women in the state became addicted to ganja. The comment drew sharp backlash from YSRCP MLCs and Chairman Moshen Raju, who ordered the remark be expunged from official records, eventually adjourning the session amidst protests.

(Naveena Ghanate, Dr Kolishetty Venkateshwarulu, Deepika Pasham and Suresh Kavirayani)

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