Kishan Reddy joins Navratri celebrations at Kacheguda's Karnataka Sahitya Mandir
Synopsis
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy joined Nada Habba – Navratri celebrations at Karnataka Sahitya Mandir in Kacheguda, Secunderabad, extending greetings to the Kannada-speaking community and devotees observing the 10-day festival.
Key Takeaways
Kishan Reddy , Union Minister of Coal and Mines and BJP Telangana state president, attended the Nada Habba – Navratri event on Sunday, 18 October 2026 .
The celebration was held at Karnataka Sahitya Mandir, Kacheguda, Secunderabad , a cultural hub for the local Kannada-speaking community.
The event is described as a 10-day grand celebration showcasing Karnataka's cultural heritage and traditions.
Reddy extended wishes to devotees and invoked blessings of Goddess Durga for happiness, health, prosperity, and strength.
Secunderabad has a historically significant Kannada-speaking diaspora , making it a key constituency for Karnataka-origin cultural events in Telangana.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy stepped into the festive atmosphere of Karnataka Sahitya Mandir in Kacheguda, Secunderabad, on Sunday, joining the Nada Habba – Navratri celebrations that draw Kannada-speaking communities across the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Marking the occasion, Reddy extended his greetings to devotees and described the 10-day grand celebration as a showcase of 'Karnataka's rich cultural heritage and traditions' and one of the state's most prominent annual festivals. He invoked a blessing from Goddess Durga for 'happiness, good health, prosperity and strength' for all those observing Navratri.
Nada Habba and Navratri: where two traditions meet in Secunderabad
Navratri is a nine-night Hindu festival honouring Goddess Durga, celebrated with distinct regional flavours across India. In Secunderabad, the Kannada-speaking diaspora has long organised Karnataka-centric programmes during this period — blending devotional observance with a celebration of linguistic and cultural identity far from home.
Karnataka Sahitya Mandir in Kacheguda has served as a focal point for such gatherings, hosting literary and cultural events for the local Kannada community. 'Nada Habba', meaning 'festival of the land' in Kannada, is associated with Karnataka's official state festival and carries deep cultural pride for those celebrating it outside the state's borders.
A minister, a diaspora, and the politics of cultural presence
Reddy's appearance fits a well-established pattern: central ministers attending regional cultural events to sustain visibility among diaspora communities in their home states. As BJP's Telangana state president, Reddy has a clear stake in engaging the Kannada-speaking constituency in Secunderabad — a city with a historically significant population of Karnataka-origin residents.
Such gestures carry weight beyond the ceremonial. Cultural participation — especially at landmark community events — is one of the more durable forms of political outreach, threading together identity, belonging, and goodwill in a single evening.
Point of View
Cultivating the Kannada-speaking community in Secunderabad — a constituency with significant electoral and cultural weight — is a strategic necessity. Central ministers routinely use such cultural touchpoints to bridge linguistic identities in a state like Telangana, where multiple regional communities coexist. The visit signals that BJP's Telangana outreach extends well beyond the dominant Telugu-speaking electorate.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Karnataka Sahitya Mandir in Secunderabad?
Karnataka Sahitya Mandir is a cultural venue located in Kacheguda, Secunderabad, Telangana. It serves as a centre for literary and cultural activities of the local Kannada-speaking community.
Why did Kishan Reddy attend a Karnataka cultural event?
G. Kishan Reddy is both Union Coal and Mines Minister and BJP's Telangana state president. Attending Karnataka community events in Secunderabad is part of his broader outreach to the significant Kannada-speaking population living in the Hyderabad-Secunderabad region.
What is Navratri and when is it celebrated?
Navratri is a nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, typically observed in September or October. It is one of India's most widely celebrated festivals, with regional variations in customs, music, and dance across different states.
Does Secunderabad have a Kannada-speaking community?
Yes, Secunderabad has a historically significant Kannada-speaking population. The city's proximity to Karnataka and its history as a cantonment town contributed to the settlement of Karnataka-origin communities, who maintain cultural organisations and celebrate state-specific festivals.
