Going by the power and pelf of typical politicians, Nuthulapati Venkata Sathya Shiva Prabhakar (NVSS Prabhakar) would be an odd man out among politicos, considering that his constituents describe him as one who is the quintessence of ‘simple living and high thinking’. They point to his simple house at Ramanthapur in Hyderabad (owned, but never expanded or improved for three decades, even after he became a legislator!) and the habit of mingling with his constituency people without putting on airs. They aver that he is so simple that he likes to have food at home in the traditional manner, sitting on the floor, along with his family members. He reaches out to people with woes unobtrusively and addresses their problems. In a conversation with The Pioneer’s Kolishetty Venkateshwarlu, NVSS Prabhakar shares his values and let us in on what makes him stand out from the crowd.
Middle class background
I was born on March 23, 1966, in Mahabubnagar. My father retired as the principal of a Government polytechnic college. My mother, NIL Annapurna, is a
homemaker. Ours is a middle- class family. I am the second son to my parents. My elder brother, NV Sudhakar Sharma, a research scholar in Vedas, died in 2008. My younger brother, NVM Prakash, is a scientist in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). I have one sister, BVLS Kalyani, and my brother-in-law is a civil engineer; they are living Saket.
Happy childhood
I was quite studious even as a child. I studied in Modern High School, Mahabubnagar till Class IX. I completed my 10th class from Nirmala Hrudaya Convent School, Nizamabad as my father had been transferred from Mahabubnagar to Nizamabad. I completed my Polytechnic diploma from Ramanthapur Polytechnic College. I completed my B Tech degree from JNTU, Kukatpally. We constructed a house in Ramanthapur in 1978 and my family settled here.
RSS roots
All through my academic career, I was a sincere student. I have followed RSS ideology right from my days as an activist of the Ramnagar Kattelamandi Ground Shakha of Mahabubnagar town from Class III. I never ragged my juniors in later years and stayed away from ‘love’ activities.
Living within means
Although I became an MLA, I am still living in the same house. Living a luxurious life, instead of living within our means, will definitely encourage corrupt practices.
I concentrate only on working but not on earning money. Politics does not mean earning money. If I start earning easy money that would subsequently lead to corruption. Hence, I do not go on that path. I never took commissions from people.
Won without money power
I had lost in the 2009 Assembly election. But I won in the 2014 elections from the Uppal constituency with the help of my party, cadre, and my friends but not with money. We have to work in politics with values with the money we have. Politics 
cannot be a source of income. My friends and my party activists worked hard for my victory, explaining my action plan to people. My party colleagues supported me a lot. I developed the Uppal constituency in all possible manner. I was the person who made the Centre give permission for the Cherlapally Railway Terminal, which is going to be completed within a month or two. I brought the Uppal Elevated Corridor project and constructed 12 overhead water tanks in my constituency.
But still I lost the 2018 elections because KCR’s charisma worked a lot in those elections and BJP was then not in good form. However, people realize my work now and they saw the true colours of BRS Uppal MLA and CM KCR. I am confident that people will vote for me in the upcoming elections as they have realized Prabhakar’s mark after my defeat. I spoke in the Assembly as BJP Deputy Floor leader 140 times. My present aim is to win the elections and do underground drainage in Ramanthapur and work for empowerment of women in my
constituency.
Father opposed plunge in politics
I am only the person from my family in public life, doing social work. My father had opposed my entry into politics and warned me many times. Due to his warnings, I never
indulged in student politics, and I used to get more than 90 per cent marks. However, I used to support ABVP during my student life.
First election
I started BJP activities in Ramanthapur in the month of December 1980 with a group of friends and I ultimately won as an MLA. I contested for the Uppal Municipal Chairman elections when I was pursuing BTech first year in 1988 and it was my first election in my political career. I cast my first vote after getting voting right as I was in the election fray. However, I lost that election with a small margin, though I had given a tough fight to the winner Shiva Reddy from the Congress party.
I held different positions in the party, particularly in Yuva Morcha, from village level president to national secretary and at that time Narendra Modi was in-charge of the Yuva Morcha and my president was present Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivaraj Singh Chouhan. I worked as BJP state general secretary and presently I am working as Telangana BJP vice-president.
I got married in 1997 to Sailaja from Malkajgiri. My wife Sailaja is a homemaker. She is a Mathematics post-graduate from Osmania University. I have three daughters. My elder daughter Sri Laxmi completed her MBBS from the Kamineni Medical College, Narketpally. My second daughter, Venkata Laxmi, is doing her final year degree in St. Francis Degree College, Begumpet and third daughter Rajya Laxmi is pursuing her 10th Class from the Ramanthapur Public School. My entire family is into academics.
Happiest day
The happiest day of my life was the day I entered the Assembly after winning in the elections as people believed in me, though I am from a middle-class family and even though I am not like a regular type of politician. The saddest day of my life was when my father passed away at the age of 85 years on April 24h, 2023. My father was an encyclopaedia and he used to tell everything about life, society, ministries and how to mingle with people.
I have one acre of land in Keesara that I purchased 30 years ago. I have been rearing cows there out of my personal interest. I will go there to do ‘Goseva’ frequently. I feed them grass collected by me in my agriculture field when need arises. We are rearing Kapila Govu, Punganuru govulu and Giri govulu there.
Connected to seers
I am well-connected to Kanchi Swamy, Visakha Sarada Peetham Swamy, Ahobila Swamy, Hampi Swamy, Sringeri Swamy, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, Ippagiri Swamy and they come to my residence. I organized Hindu Dharmacharya Mahasabha and 
Swami Dayanada Saraswathi presided over the Sabha. I am connected to all these Swamijis spiritually and culturally. I have visited all major pilgrim places and had a bath in all the rivers and oceans of our country. I visited Singapore following the invitation of one of the Universities and delivered a lecture as a Yuva Morcha leader. I went to China to deliver a lecture on Irrigation projects, following the Chinese government’s invitation in 2006. By that time, I had visited all irrigation projects in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State during the chief ministership of late YS Rajashekhar Reddy.
I start my daily life by getting up at 5.30 AM and doing exercises, yoga, pooja, and having ragi malt or java. I used to read spiritual, history books and watch patriotism-oriented films
when I was young. Now I have no time to watch films. I love playing games and I used to play volleyball, basketball, and shuttle in my college days and once I got ‘Best Sportsman of the Year’ award in college.
Support from wife
My children have no political interest, but ideologically all my family members are with me. They are now in the learning stage and there is a lot of time for them to
settle and many things to happen in their life. However, my wife supported me a lot during elections by participating in elections and preparing notes for me.
My favourite leader is Atal Behari Vajpayee as he lived a simple life but reached high levels. Vajpayee’s government ran on ideology, but Modi’s government has been running with peoples’ participation. Modi’s government stood as a symbol of democracy. I love light brown colour. I participated in Ayodhya Kar seva. I don’t believe in luck and believe in karma.
In my political career, there were many memorable moments like when I met Atal Behari Vajpai, PV Narasimha Rao, Narendra Modi, Presidents—Ramnath Kovind, Draupadi Murmu —- tallest personalities in the country. I also met great pontiffs and pundits and got their blessings.
In Telangana, BJP is certainly an alternative party to BRS party because the Congress is sailing with BRS party as Congress MLAs are joining BRS after winning elections. My party will come to power in Telangana as Bandi Sanjay brought the party to such a level. The party will win in the coming elections under the leadership of G Kishan Reddy.
Fight against lotteries
I waged a huge fight against single-digit lotteries. I addressed a letter to then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. PV responded and replied to me and recommended my name to the committee for suggestions in preparing a law against lotteries. The then BJP floor leader Ch Vidyasagar Rao mentioned my name in the Assembly in 1997 while speaking on lotteries and later I entered the same Assembly. The PV government banned lotteries in the country. But I got full threats from lottery agencies. The government provided two gunmen for me then. My goal is to continue in public life and serve people. I want to indulge only in social service.
What is your favorite food : Mudda pappu, tomato chutney.
Favourite colour: Light brown.
Favourite holiday destination: Manasa Sarovar
Do you watch movies: Historical movies
Who is your favorite politician: Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Do you listen to songs: Folk songs
Happy moment: When I became an MLA
Sad moment in politics: Not becoming BJYM state president
