The Forum for a Better Hyderabad, along with other civil society groups, organized the 16th Memorial and Solidarity Meet to remember the victims of the Musi floods of 1908. The event was held under the Great Tamarind Tree at Osmania General Hospital from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Attendees planted saplings as a symbol of hope and renewal.
The meeting was led by Er. Veda Kumar Manikonda, a well-known urban planner and chairman of the Forum for a Better Hyderabad. Several important people attended, including Dr. Jai Kishen, the Head of Osmania General Hospital, Dr. Kavita, RMO, and Er. Shyam Prasad Reddy, the Convenor of the Telangana Retired Engineers Association, along with several academics and activists.
The event began with a heartfelt Lavini song called “Aankhon Dekha Hall of Floods” performed by Ram Niwas Parashar. The song paid tribute to the historical significance of the tamarind tree, which saved 150 people during the floods. Students from Oxford Grammar School and SRD Orphanage also performed, celebrating the beauty of nature.
During his speech, Er. Veda Kumar Manikonda talked about the tragic events of the 1908 floods, which caused immense loss of life and property. He praised the efforts of the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, who created the City Improvement Board (CIB) in 1914 to prevent future disasters. He also mentioned the great engineer Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, who suggested building reservoirs to control floods and provide water for the city.
Manikonda stressed the need for a new master plan for Hyderabad, focusing on improving the city’s drainage system. He also talked about the pollution and encroachment of the Musi River and urged for better treatment of wastewater.
Er. Shyam Prasad Reddy emphasized the importance of protecting rivers, while Er. Ramana Naik spoke about the need for more research into water treatment methods. Rainwater harvesting expert Sri. Subhash Reddy educated students on the importance of saving water and improving groundwater quality.
Prof. Anwar Khan highlighted how the tamarind tree saved people from all backgrounds during the floods and encouraged young people to take part in environmental conservation. Sri. Rajalingam thanked the tamarind tree and the organizers, paying respect to nature’s resilience.
The event ended with many participants sharing their concerns about environmental issues. Representatives from educational institutions also joined the discussion, contributing ideas on how to protect the environment. Sri. Syed Qhyzer Bash, the coordinator of the Forum for a Better Hyderabad, gave a vote of thanks, stressing the need for collective action to protect the environment and improve life in the city.
