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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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