---

A Pakistani travels through India as the world’s biggest democracy votes in the national elections. Follow his journey to know what happens and all the people that he meets on the way.

Day 4: From Bangalore to Hyderabad

---

The other important symbol of identity for Muslims in Andhra Pradesh is Urdu. It was once the dominant language of governance and education in the state but as the generalised governance system of India replaced the princely rule in 1948, Urdu lost its status. The efforts for resurrecting it by the Muslim community organizations get a boost every time, they feel the need to assert their distinct identity.

Hyderabad's phenomenal economic growth over past decade has created new imbalances and gave more twists to its politics. It invited a massive influx of professionals from other states raising the issue of local and non-local beneficiaries. It also sharpened further the contentious issue of economic disparity among people of Telangana and Andhra. The public sector jobs have a reserved quota for lower castes but the same does not apply to the private sector. This has increased the pressure on the limited public sector to be more judicious in offering employment to the lower castes.

Nizam's glory is all gone now but it has definitely left some mark on Hyderabadi aesthetics. All the public statues here are painted golden unlike other places where they stand in black, greys or at the most in copper red. During a meeting at a local tuck shop, the host ordered the waiter 'golden' for all the friends. I amusingly waited to discover only to discover that it meant milk tea (doodh patti) rich in flavour and colour!

You can easily call Hyderabad 'the biryani capital of India'. Every friend of yours knowing that you are in the city will suggest you to not miss the opportunity to dine at one or the biryani joint. The most frequently recommended one, however, proved to be a disappointment for me - rice were well done, it wasn't too spicy but the quality of meat was low and the raita was too runny.