The Hussainsagar stretch in central Hyderabad was painted with the Tricolour as thousands from across the city took part in the Tiranga Rally on Saturday (May 17). The massive rally, held along the scenic Hussain Sagar route, was a tribute to the bravery of the Indian armed forces and a celebration of the success of Operation Sindoor. As the rally began, the evening came alive with waves of the Indian flag. Enthusiasm was palpable as participants marched with determination, their faces lit with pride and their hearts full of gratitude for the sacrifices made by the armed forces. Behind the scenes, city police worked tirelessly to manage both security and traffic, ensuring a smooth and incident-free event. Starting around 5 p.m. from Ambedkar statue near the Secretariat, the rally ended near M-47 Patton Tank, which was disabled and captured by Indian soldiers following the Pakistan army’s defeat in the 1971 war. The rally drew an eclectic crowd from all walks of life. Doctors, students, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, veterans and political party workers stood side by side waving Indian flags, united by a shared sense of pride and patriotism. When asked about what made them show up, one of the participants, a doctor from a private hospital, gestured towards the flag and smiled. “We have a group of doctors and medicos here in Hyderabad, and we decided to come together to show our support for the courageous soldiers who serve our nation,” he explained. The rally was organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party for the Hyderabad public to participate and show solidarity. G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister and Telangana BJP president, participated in the rally. DCP (Central Zone) K. Shilpavalli, who was on ground as the rally finished, was seen managing traffic flow and the crowd as the gathering became unruly after some time. The rally was part of a larger, nationwide campaign — a ten-day celebration of India’s strength and unity. Starting on May 13, the campaign includes a variety of events across the country — bike rallies, flag-hoisting ceremonies, public gatherings and outreach activities in towns and cities from coast to coast.