HYDERABAD

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former Minister K.T. Rama Rao unveiled a specially-designed handloom shawl embedded with a QR code at his Nandi Nagar residence on Saturday.

The shawl, created by noted weaver and Chenetha Kala Ratna awardee Nalla Vijay Kumar from Sircilla, features a scannable QR code that presents Telangana’s history, major temples, iconic structures, traditions and key development initiatives undertaken during the previous BRS government led by K. Chandrasekhar Rao, including Mission Bhagiratha and the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

The QR code is described as “pogu bandham to phone bandham” (Relationship between thread and phone network), enabling users to access detailed information on the State’s cultural heritage and development milestones. Mr. Vijay Kumar said the shawl took 15 days to complete.

Mr. Rama Rao appreciated the weaver for his craftsmanship and creativity, stating that the unique handloom creation effectively reflected the spirit and achievements of Telangana. “It will be presented to KCR,” KTR added.

Mr. Vijay Kumar, known for his innovative weaving, had earlier crafted a silk and zari shawl embedded with a QR code highlighting the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Carrying forward his family’s legacy, he is the son of Nalla Parandhamulu, the first weaver to create a silk saree that could fit inside a matchbox.

His earlier creations include sarees that can pass through a needle’s eye or a finger ring, a colour-changing “chameleon” saree and a fragrant silk saree. He had also presented Prime Minister Modi with a gold “Operation Sindoor” shawl woven by him.

Published – December 13, 2025 06:53 pm IST