Celebrations, as a new state is born in southern India.
At the stroke of midnight, Telangana officially came into existence.
India's 29th state comprises ten former districts of Andhra Pradesh, including the city of Hyderabad....and a population of 35 million.
The large state of Andhra Pradesh is deeply divided economically.
And for years the residents of Telangana, who felt the region had long been neglected, battled for their own state.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) STUDENT OF HYDERABAD-BASED OSMANIA UNIVERSITY, SYED SALIM PASHA, SAYING:
"Many students have sacrificed their lives for the Telangana movement. Almost 1200 people have given their lives for the state. This is a golden moment for us and the state of Telangana which is supposed to become the 29th state and involves sacrifices."
But now people here hope its creation will bring them prosperity.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRMAN OF TELANGANA JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE (TJAC), M. KODANDARAM SAYING
