(Image source from: Telangana household survey a big hit!})

Life came to a standing still in Telangana with no service whatsoever functioning and roads lying abandoned. And if Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's assertion is anything to go by, then the comprehensive household survey held across India's 29th State, Telangana on Tuesday was a super success.

And why not? The surveyors clearly avoided all contentious questions pertaining to details of nativity, bank accounts and property documents or questions infringing the personal space or intimidating people about a possible stoppage of benefits.

The survey questionnaire evaded Questions 21, 22 and 23 in ‘Division-I’ pertaining to questions on nativity. The special box with a headline specifically mentioning "the details of those who migrated from other states" was also dropped.

The questions published in the proforma released by the government earlier in social media and newspaper websites had questions like — 21. From which State have you come? 22. Language spoken, and 23. Year of migration.

Also, the fact that most of the surveyors were students, from undergraduate classes to research scholars in various colleges and universities as well as government employees less intimidated the people.

Their affability and etiquette stumped people and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter were overflowing with positive accounts of survey experiences.

All apprehensions were dispelled once the interaction started. Surveyors walked an extra mile to verify all forms.

Support and cooperation poured in as the surveyors explained that people could choose to avoid any inconvenient question asked to them on religion, caste and social status – SC, ST, OBC, etc. However, those deriving benefits from the government owing to their social grouping furnished the relevant information.

With no proofs of mobile bills, or Aadhaar cards or copies of any documents being demanded by the surveyors, the people were relieved.

However, KCR’s remark that “we would know what a person is all about from the parameters incorporated in the questionnaire, though you may not be able to make out what it is,” left every one wondering.

AW: Suchorita Choudhury