Remembering YSR – YS Rajasekhara Reddy the man with a purpose
YSR or YS Rajasekhara Reddy was a man with a purpose – to help people in his state Andhra Pradesh. That is what he lived for and died for while he was travelling in a Chopper from Hyderabad to Chittoor on 2 September 2009.
Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy born on 8 July 1949 was popularly known as YSR. YSR was one of the most loved Chief Minister of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. He was elected to the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Lok Sabha from the Kadapa constituency for four terms and to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for five terms from the Pulivendula constituency representing Congress Party. In 2003 he undertook a three month long paadayaatra, or walking tour, across several districts in Andhra Pradesh which led his party to victory in the next general and assembly elections held in 2004.
Rajasekhara Reddy was born in Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh to Y. S. Raja and Jayamma Reddy. He graduated with a degree in medical science from Gulbarga University and completed his House Surgeonship at S.V. Medical College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. He was the elected leader of the House Surgeon’s Association at S.V. Medical College, Tirupati. Y. S. Rajashekhara Reddy practiced medicine for some time in his native Kadapa District. The hospital his father built for him at Pulivendula is still running.
From 1980-1983 he was a minister holding important portfolios related to Rural Development, Medical Health and Education in the state Government. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kadapa constituency four times and was elected to the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly six times from Pulivendula constituency. Reddy was the leader of the opposition in the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly for five years. He was President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) twice first during 1983–1985 and then in 1998–2000.
During mid-summer in 2003, he led an unprecedented 1400 km long paadayaatra (foot pilgrimage), covering all backward areas in the state to understand the ground realities of living conditions of the people there. This has increased his mass appeal multifold and resulted in a win in elections. Reddy was elected as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh by the Legislature party of the Indian National Congress after they later won 185 seats of the Legislative Assembly in the May 2004 elections.
He has initiated a variety of programs that influence the Economy of Andhra Pradesh including
- Free power supply for farmers
- Jalayagnam – a large scale program to construct more than 70 pending irrigation projects in the state to improve irrigation facilities to the farmers
- Increase in the minimum support price for rice
- Arogya Shree – a health insurance scheme for rural masses where the government pays the entire price of any surgery and does not require people to pay any premium
- Pavala Vaddi – a program that provides loans to people at 3% per year so as to encourage them to take up small scale businesses and entrepreneurship primarily targeted at rural woman
- Indiramma illu – a program for construction of houses for the rural masses by charging a small amount and the government the remaining amount
- Rs 2/Kg rice scheme
- Reimbursement of full college fees for backward sections
- Reservations for minorities
- Loan waiver program for the farmers
Reddy’s major campaign during the 2009 election was based on Development and the credibility. In the elections, Reddy’s party (INC) secured the required majority in the assembly (156 seats) and also won 33 seats in parliament. Reddy was sworn in as the chief minister for the term of 2009–2014 on 20 May 2009.
Reddy’s death in a Chopper crash on 2 September was very very unfortunate event in the history of Andhra Pradesh. Reddy left behind his wife Vijaya Lakshmi and a son, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and a daughter, Sharmila.
In Andhra Pradesh many people not related to YSR were seen crying on roads as the news of their leader’s death was flashed. It is clear the a new CM may come and take the CM’s position – but no one can take the position YSR has in the hearts of people.
If you have any opinion, want to express something or want to pay homage to YSR – just write your message in the comments below.
Tags: Andhra Pradesh, YS Rajsekhar Reddy, YSRRelated posts
Posted in: Featured, Personality, Political News
Comments • comment feed
There is no doubt that YSR has been a great leader.All people (and political parties) should imbibe his principles and thought process to help the needy (with a humane touch) and take forward the good things he has done (health insurance, micro finance, irrigation and power projects).If we can just complete all the projects and initiatives he has started off with an improved efficacy we would end up paying a very rich tribute to him.
I think the health insurance can be named after him as its a novel thing in the world, and he deserves this tribute, in conceiving and making it a success and a role model policy.
September 3rd, 2009