For a city like Hyderabad to emerge and to actually become a truly international city, we need more leisure and lifestyle events happening in Hyderabad: KTR

The Telangana government on Thursday launched 'Happening Hyderabad' - an annual campaign that will focus on year-round events in the city with an aim to promote Hyderabad as a truly international city.

Telangana Information Technology Minister K Taraka Rama Rao, at the launch of the event 'An event-a-week concept for 52 weeks' here, said, "For a city to thrive, it just cannot flourish on industry and IT or any specific industry as that matter…we need a city that is vibrant and have something to offer (events) every week."

"For a city like Hyderabad to emerge and to actually become a truly international city, we need more leisure and lifestyle events happening in Hyderabad," he said.

Rao further said the idea behind the campaign is to enhance city's "cosmopolitan" quotient, which will make it a truly international city.

"I think Hyderabad should grow as a thriving city in terms of culture, sports and all other facets of life as well. So, we thought of the concept called 52 weeks and 52 events. But there will be many more events happening every week in Hyderabad," Rao said.

The launch was followed by the unveiling of 'Happening Hyderabad' logo, launch of its web portal with annual events calendar and mobile application. The campaign will kick start through a cycling event 'Freedom Ride' on Friday.

The minister announced that the government will present cash rewards for those coming up with a better logo and tagline for the campaign.

Principal Secretary, Tourism, Telangana, B P Acharya, said the whole idea of the 'Happening Hyderabad' campaign is to support and encourage events related to Arts, Culture, Sports, Hobby and Entrepreneurship to enhance "community engagement and interaction and strengthening the event industry".

"This campaign will provide platform for various events taking place in the city and showcase Hyderabad as a global city and a happening city," Acharya added.

-PTI