YS Rajasekhara Reddy: A friend of rural people

By Naagesh Naarayana

Microfinance Focus, Sept. 3, 2009: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy is no more but his struggle to reach the rural man cannot be forgotten. He was instrumental in implementing some of the most difficult and popular rural welfare programs in Andhra Pradesh like NREGA, which in fact was implemented first in Anatapur district in the state. It’s goal to provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household has benefited 22 districts and 12 million households.

Dr. Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, popularly known as YSR,was a leader who had 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’s early schooling was at the Municipal School in nearby Bellary town which is in Karnataka. 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.

He 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 Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Parliament and he won all the elections he contested.
During his three decades of political career, YSR had 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.
His emphasis on 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
He 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, to know first-hand the real problems of the people in their own language and their doorstep propelled him into power soon.
Sworn in as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on May 14, 2004, he remained a leader focusing on agriculture and rural welfare as ever, which won him a second term in the assembly elections held in May 2009.

His advice was always simple: “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.”

He undertook the Rajiv Palle Baata (Rajiv Rural Way), a novel mass contact programme to reach 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 leader does in the glare of official publicity, but what his officials may not have done in the people’s own words.
Following its success, he extended the programme to urban areas through Rajiv Nagara Baata (Rajiv City Way). He  gave his government’s full support to self-help groups SHGs to achieve financial inclusion.
Dr Rajasekhara Reddy’s emphasis on development of the rural economy did not presuppose a blinkered approach towards new and emerging technologies. Dr.Reddy was equally committed to a balanced approach towards giving thrust to information technology, bio-technology and all sectors that enhance industrial and agricultural production.

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