Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy

Dr.Y.S Rajasekhara Reddy Profile

మడమ తిప్పను మాట తప్పను

ఎన్నాళ్ళు బ్రతికామన్నది ముక్యం కాదు ఎలా బ్రతికమన్నదే ముక్యం... ysr.

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 YS 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 YS 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.

View the above pics on our Picasa Album - CLICK HERE

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.

YSR 'MANCHI MATA'

Archive for the ‘YSR’s One of the Welfare Scheme’

LoW COST LOANS :

All the small and medium People come under the scope of this scheme. The aim of the scheme is to encourage the poor to start maximum number of micro industries or business establishments in the rural areas.

AP Government Welfare Schemes :

AP Welfare schemes Indira Kranthi Padam JalayagnamLoan Waiver Scheme INDIRA PRABHA SCHEME SOCIAL AMENITIES.

INDIRAMMA HOUSING SCHEME :

The aim is to construct 20 lakh houses in the rural areas for the houseless poor people.All the poor, irrespective of their caste and creed would come under the scope of the scheme.it has full filled the dreams of the poor people to owne a house.

SOCIAL AMENITIES SCHEME :

Provision of social amenities like drinking water, roads,gas,foodgrains etc.All the areas come under the scope of the scheme. Under this scheme, drinking water would be provided in 11,140 habitats. Already works have been launched in 5,136 habitats. The scheme would be implemented in places with a population of more than 500.

INDIRA PRABHA SCHEME :

The aim of the scheme is to develop uncultivable barren lands allotted to the to the landless poor farmers.Earlier, lands used to be assigned to the landless poor in as is where is condition. Farmers who were unable to develop the lands left them barren.

The Congress government which took over in 2004 has launched the Indira Prabha scheme, under which these lands are being fully developed to enable the farmers to cultivate.

Loan Waiver Scheme :

Under this program the loans taken by the poor people are paid by the government.the loan and the intrest is also cleared for the poor. This is a boon for the farmers how are not able to pay loans to the banks.

Jalayagnam :

The aim of the project is to provide irrigation facilities to all regions and to make andhrapradesh Haritandrapradesh.the dream of y.s.rajashekara reddy.

Indira Kranthi Padam :

The aim of the Indira Kranthi Padam scheme is to improve the living conditions and employment opportunities of poor women.

All women living under below the poverty line come under the scope of the scheme. This scheme is mainly meant for the benefit of women, who would be organized into village, mandal and district federations so that financial schemes could be taken for their benefit.

Free Power Supply :

To provide free supply of power to the farmers to ensure that their crops do not wither.

All the farmers come under the scope of the scheme.The file fulfilling the promise was the first file that Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had signed immediately after assuming charge as the Chief Minister.

Rajiv Aarogyasri :

Aarogyasri is an innovative scheme implemented for the first time in the country. The aim is to ensure health care of the poor, through insurance. The scheme also aims at providing health care to 90 percent of the state population, ultimately.

All the poor, having white ration cards are eligible for benefit under the scheme.

Mysterious Helicopter Crash : The EXILE

What does the mysterious helicopter crash that killed one of India’s most popular politicians have to do with White House economic czar Larry Summers? Read on…

First, the crash: one of India’s most popular politicians, who heads the state of Andhra Pradesh, just died in a mysterious helicopter crash.

What’s eerie is that the dead politician recently went public attacking India’s most powerful oligarch family, the Ambanis, threatening to take away their giant offshore gas concessions.

Meanwhile the Ambani brothers, Mukesh (the world’s 7th richest man) and Anil (the world’s 34 richest) are battling each other in a blood feud that’s taking the whole country down with them–that’s not a hornet’s nest you’d want to stick your fingers into, even if you’re the governor of a huge Indian province.

The Ambani brothers’ feud peaked in May when Anil’s helicopter was found to have been sabotaged just before takeoff . Anil strongly hinted he suspected Mukesh, but no one will ever know who did it, because the mechanic who discovered the dirt and gravel in Anil Ambani’s helicopter gear box was hit by a train two days later in what was initially ruled as a “suicide,” but which later was ruled murder.

So why would an Ambani have anything to do with the mysterious helicopter crash of Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy? Just speculatin' on a hypothesis, as the police chief says in Miller's Crossing, and here's why:

Just over a month ago, as the Ambani brothers' insane internecine war over offshore gas deposits dragged on with no end in sight, Reddy publicly demanded that his state, Andhra Pradesh, take a share of the gas deposits for itself:

Even as the two Ambani brothers are locked in a legal battle over supply and price of gas from the Krishna-Godavari basin, the Andhra Pradesh government has sought its "due share" of the hydrocarbon asset.

He even attacked the brothers’ mother, who brokered the deal dividing up India’s gas between her feuding sons:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Sunday said that the settlement of the gas dispute between the Ambani brothers could not be left to their mother Kokilaben and the Centre must play a decisive role, for which he has written to the Prime Minister.

“The dispute over sharing of gas is not an issue to be settled by (the) mother (Kokilaben). It is for the government to decide who should get the gas and also at what price,” Reddy said on the sidelines of a function here.

Ah, Y.S., you shouldn’ta attacked their mother. Next thing you know…Reddy’s deady.

Oh, and by the way, don’t forget this one little fun-fact: Larry Summers, the guy appointed by Obama to run America’s economy, worked for Mukesh Ambani right up until he took his White House job. We’re in good hands, folks.

(This is the Original Article published on the Exile Newspaper on September 3rd,2009, just hours after the crash)

A Tribute To Late Sri.Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhar Reddy :