OURCM:
Dr. Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, popularly known as YSR, is an astute
politician and a charismatic mass leader who has carved for himself a niche in
State politics by his exemplary devotion and dedication to the uplift of the
downtrodden and neglected segments of society. Born on July 8, 1949, in
Pulivendula in the backward Rayalaseema region, YSR has always struggled to
secure the rights of the poor and the underprivileged.
Son of late Sri Y.S.Raja Reddy, a dynamic leader in his heyday, Rajasekhara
Reddy evinced interest in politics right from his student days. While studying
in M R Medical College, Gulbarga, Karnataka, he served as President of the
Students union. He was elected leader of the House Surgeon's Association in S V
Medical College, Tirupati.
After completing MBBS, he served as Medical Officer at the Jammalamadugu
Mission Hospital for a brief period. In 1973, he established a 70-bed
charitable hospital, named after his father late Y.S.Raja Reddy at Pulivendula.
His family established one polytechnic and one degree college in Pulivendula,
which were later handed over to the well-known Loyola group of institutions.
Rajasekhara Reddy's sound business acumen, entrepreneurial skills, and, above
all, his transparency brought him laurels in the business arena. On the flip
side, his success also brought him many adversaries, political and otherwise,
who were desperately looking for a shred of evidence to prove umpteen charges
against him. In the end, their mud-slinging did not yield a single point that
could paint the mass leader in bad light. In fact, his detractors became
red-faced, as they had to swallow their words.
Groomed by a family deeply involved in public service, YSR entered active
politics in 1978 and contested elections, four times to enter the State
Legislative Assembly and an equal number of times to enter the Lower House of
Parliament. A winner in all that he does, YSR won all the elections he
contested. Even today his admirers exclaim: "He (YSR) defeats defeat."
During his 25-year-long political career, YSR has served the people in multiple
capacities, both in Government as well as in Party. He was President of the
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) twice - 1983-1985 and 1998-2000.
During 1980-1983, he was a minister holding important portfolios related to
Rural Development, Medical & Health and Education etc. From 1999 to 2004 he
was the Leader of Opposition in the eleventh state assembly.
As a champion of the masses, his stentorian voice in the assembly, raised
particularly during debates that sought to lend voice to the voiceless
millions, forced the Government to retrace several anti-people steps it
contemplated. YSR has been instrumental in orchestrating several mass
struggles, while highlighting issues facing peasants, weavers, Dalits, youth
and women. His relentless fight for clearance of pending irrigation projects,
particularly in the backward Rayalaseema region, has earned for him a special
place in the hearts of millions of farmers. His unremitting struggle against
certain anti-people economic measures that were sought to be introduced in the
name of "reforms", including the frequent increases in power tariff and
indiscriminate privatization of public sector units, exalted him far above the
street smart politicians.
Even as a novice in the legislature, YSR rallied all the Congress MLAs from the
Rayalaseema region and led an indefinite hunger strike demanding solution to
the water crisis. He also led a Paadayaatra from Lepakshi to Pothireddipadu in
Kurnool district. The 14-day hunger strike of legislators under his leadership
in August 2000 to register protest against the hike in power charges is still
fresh in the memory of people. By systematically exposing the misdeeds of the
then Government, both inside and outside the Assembly, YSR was playing his
political role to the hilt.
During mid-summer in 2003, he led an unprecedented 1400 Km long Paadayaatra
covering all backward areas in the state to understand the ground realities of
living conditions of the people there.
Now, as Chief Minister, the crowning glory of this studded political career, he
can proudly claim to be the quintessence of a politician who, with vision
focused on the coming generations as well, has earned the title of a statesman.
Amidst a bewildering number of turncoats among politicians, who thrive in
"shifting loyalties", YSR stands out as a sterling example of the old guard in
pristine Indian politics.
This explains why he has never turned his back on the Congress party, which
nurtured his political moorings. The lure of power and pelf could not divert
him, when the party was briefly out of power, from his mission to hold the
reins of power as a trusted lieutenant of the Congress and, more importantly,
as a darling of the masses. Sworn in as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on
14.05.2004.
YSR's Personality
A modest Personality:
Dr.Reddy, unlike most politicians, reflects the spirit of a true Indian who
walks his talk. While his thought is dressed with all that is modern and
ennobling, Dr.Reddy's person is invariably clothed in traditional costumes that
include dhoti and a shirt made of handloom cloth. In all of his public and
private conversations, he speaks from the core of his heart. Naturally, he
hates hypocrisy.
As a demanding Chief Minister, YSR expects bureaucrats to do their job
meticulously, and present before him only facts that are shorn of all
publicity-oriented and manipulative figures. He does not tolerate hype and
extravaganza in communicating official messages. He wants incontrovertible
facts stated in a simple language that is intelligible even to the unlettered,
because taking administration to the people is an article of faith for him.
His Philosophy of Life:
Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy strongly believes that the human life is a boon
provided by the Almighty to share one's blessings with others, while serving
less privileged human beings.
"Don't count the years you want to live. Ask yourself how much you have done
for society at large with whatever opportunities the Almighty has provided
you", is Dr. Reddy's word of advice for those who have excuses for not doing
even what is within their means.
It is this humane principle that prompted him to take pioneering steps to
ensure delivery of social security pensions to the needy in the first week of
every month.
His stature:
Though measuring 5'7", Reddy looks majestically simple in his appearance with
an ever-smiling genial countenance. This in fact overshadows his unfailing
willpower to achieve his targets with the resilience and tenacity of a spider.
When YSR undertook his unprecedented 1500-KM-long Padayaatra (march on foot) in
scorching sun during summer in 2003,covering backward areas of the state in
particular, few people could discern the underlying motive: knowing first-hand
the real problems of the people in their own language and their doorstep.
His Mission:
As around 75% of the population in India depend upon agriculture for
livelihood, most administrative efforts should be focused on the rural economy,
he believes.
Citing renowned economists, Dr. Reddy regrets that neglect of the agriculture
and irrigation sectors in recent years have become the bane rural economy. As a
proactive Chief Minister, he embarked upon a massive programme of executing 26
major irrigation projects to create 65 lakh acres of new ayacut.
His Motto:
Dr. Reddy's motto is that the ultimate objective of any program executed under
a democratic set-up should be prompt and dependable delivery of sevices to the
common man.
With this as the guiding principle, YSR has advised bureaucrats at all levels
to help revive the functioning of the administrative system at all levels
without habitually looking for autocratic 'diktats'. 'Decentralization of
administrative power within the guidelines of the policy framed by the
government reflects the true spirit of democratic governance", Dr. Reddy
argues.
His strength:
Dr Reddy's strength lies in his stature as a mass leader since his advent in
politics. Whether in or out of power, he has always championed the cause of the
common man. This has endeared him to all segments of the Congress party as
well.
Even after becoming the Chief Minister in May 2004, Dr Reddy makes it a point
to address all the problems that are brought before him directly by people,
cutting through bureaucratic hurdles, every day.
If any scheme or programme under formulation is placed before him for approval,
its outcome is a foregone conclusion that is dependent on Dr. Reddy's
invariable query: "How best will it benefit the people at large or ensure good
governance?"
His 'pastime':
A curious 'pastime' of Dr Reddy is to feel the pulse of people in rural
areas on Sundays through the Rajiv Palle Batta.
The Rajiv Palle Baata is a novel mass contact programme under which the Chief
Minister reaches out to even unmotorable areas in the rural areas for
personally collecting feedback on the implementation of various programmes.
This programme has become extremely popular, because it highlights not what the
Chief Minister does in the glare of official publicity, but what his officials
may not have done in the people's own words.
In view of the rational changes brought about in administrative matters
following the success of Rajiv Palle Baata, the Chief Minister now extended the
programme to urban areas through Rajiv Nagara Baata.
His Approach:
The Chief Minister's emphasis on development of the rural economy does not
presuppose a blinkered approach towards new and emerging technologies.
Dr.Reddy is committed to a balanced approach towards giving thrust to
information technology, bio-technology and all sectors that enhance industrial
and agricultural production. His watchword is total transparency in all
transactions and deals that envisage public-private partnerships or involve
private investments. Because, YSR believes he is simply a custodian of people's
trust that is invaluable.
It is not a coincidence that he loves the company of children and often "gets
lost" in their World that is founded on trust of the highest order.
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