NAGPUR : A peep into the history reveals that any big movement, including that of America's fight for independence or French revolution or even saga of India's freedom struggle, began with a small group of individuals coming together for a cause. In all such cases, it was this small movement that shaped a big revolution and shook strongest of empires. Unfortunately for Vidarbha , many such small movements had started but they failed to become a revolution, primarily due to lack of sincerity of leaders and that made masses lose interest. However, after declaration of Telangana state on Tuesday, the dormant movements are showing signs of revival.

"It's a good sign that Telangana finally attained reality after a long and hard struggle. Now it is high time, people from Vidarbha should take inspiration and spruce up for demanding separate state. It is only when masses unite for a cause that politicians will support them. I otherwise don't have much hope from the political class of the region," says staunch Vidarbha protagonist and renowned lawyer Shrihari Aney.

Former All India Universities (AIU) chairman and ex-VC of Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University Pankaj Chande added that smaller states ensured development. "Policies can't be made for this region while sitting 900 kms away in Mumbai. Rapid progress made by neighbouring Chhattisgarh provides ample testimony to this fact," he asserted.

Some, like former ICAI national president Jaydeep Shah, wondered why Vidarbha was still a part of Maharashtra despite being neglected for decades. "We have rich flora and fauna. We also have surplus power and minerals. Besides, we have a separate assembly and high court buildings. Why should we depend on Mumbai," he asks.

Vidarbha Joint Action Committee member Ahmed Qadar, however, blames local politicians for fact the region was still attached with Maharashtra. "The demand for separate Vidarbha is much older than Telangana and has stronger logic as well. Our politicians only shout slogans and then go quiet, once they get plum posts," he added.

Retired income tax commissioner Dhananjay Dharmik cited 6,000 farmers' suicides on account of step motherly treatment by the state government. "A central committee headed by then central minister and President Pranab Mukherjee had specifically mentioned that along with Telangana, Vidarbha should be granted statehood. It will be a strong and vibrant state if given the opportunity," Dharmik, who is campaigning in New Delhi, added.

Interestingly, everybody is not convinced that smaller states bring development. Some like Citizens Forum for Equality chairman Madhukar Kukde believes separate Telangana or Vidarbha would not benefit the local population. "Even in Congress Working Committee (CWC), there were people who categorically opposed Telangana's formation. Vidarbha will never progress if detached from Maharashtra," he said.

Nagpur High Court Bar Association (HCBA) secretary Shradhanand Bhutada felt better governance was possible only in bigger states. "Smaller states don't ensure development. Actually, we failed to elect good leaders. We created politicians who are just interested in filling their coffers," he stated.

(With inputs from Proshun Chakraborty & Abhishek Choudhari)

