A successful spine surgeon, Dr Sanjay Kalvakuntla is suddenly in the thick of politics as first-time MLA from the Korutla constituency. In a freewheeling interview with The Pioneer, Dr Sanjay, legislator belonging to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, shares details about studying in hostels all through his academic life, being doctor and treating former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. In a conversation with Naveena Ghanate of The Pioneer, he shares his vision for developing Korutla constituency, memories of studying with former minister K T Rama Rao, the downside of being in the Opposition, and the satisfaction of being the ‘discount doctor’ to his constituents.
Hosteller since UKG
I was a complete hostel kid from UKG. I hail from Metpally, where there weren’t good education facilities. Hostel life makes you disciplined and humble gradually. I was naughty at home; that’s what my parents say. There was a lot of emphasis on education. My father was very strict about education. And in hostels then, it was not like now. Then they would beat you up in case you were naughty. I started in Nizamabad, a school called Vijay Public School and from there I moved to Hyderabad to Satyam Public School in fifth standard. From there, I went to Triveni Academy, Chennai. My dad sent me wherever he thought there was some better education.
Bommarillu dad
My father Vidyasagar was strict with me until my 10 standard. Then maybe he realized I am doing well and we became friends. My sister Samata and I would be lectured for an hour every day on how to behave. It is all emotional, no beatings at all. My mother Saroja pampered me badly. She is like a normal laidback lady like a typical mom who loves the child. We are a very emotional tight-knit family and my father is Bommarillu (movie) father. My dad wants to take care of me every day. He wants to pack our luggage. At least I am a little independent because my wife is there to take care of me completely. My dad even now takes care of my sister. I mean, he’s like hands-on dad. My sister is also a doctor. She was my senior in college and very strict.
KTR, Guntur and Intermediate
During my Intermediate I was in Guntur, where (former minister) KT Rama Rao and I studied together. I got a cultural shock because I had grown up in a hostel and never knew religion, caste. Now emotions drive people, instead of the basic drives. We never even knew each other until we met at Guntur where I realised somebody else can have the same surname. We realized later in life that my cradle ceremony and his cradle ceremony happened in my uncle’s house (menamama). In college, we never discussed beyond surname. And then I went to medical school. He did not get through medical school. He was a smarter kid; much better than me, but he was like “Do I have to struggle for such a long time?” And then he always wanted to do Civils also. This is the age where you don’t know exactly where you are going, you know. I got through a common All India exam and got through KCET in Karnataka.
Scared when dad was picked up by Naxalites
My father was actually a contractor. Suddenly one day in 1998, Chandrababu Naidu called him over and said you have to contest because there was a by-election which had come up in Metpally. He suddenly gave up his professional contracts and suddenly came into politics. It was sudden of all. There was no pre-political exposure, nothing, no family. My dad was picked up by the naxalites but he came back fine. But then I was a kid and really scared of what was happening then. Those times were very bad in northern Telangana, especially Karimnagar district.
Sharp contrast Mysore to TS
There were only two career choices then: either doctor and engineer. I was thinking about civil services but the thought never really materialised. I just went to medical school as I was always good at biology and was bad at math. I started in Chennai and then I went to Mysore for my post grad. When I came down to Telangana, I could see the difference that they were already far, far superior to us. I still remember in 2001, I was in Mysore doing master’s in orthopedics. My dad actually was contesting for ZPTC chief post in 2001 after having contested for MLA seat. I was travelling then and Mysore was green with water, rich farmers and when I came to Telangana, we had nothing. I came to Ibrahimpatnam: it was dry land, no water, no power even in government office. I keep analyzing it on how did things change.
Fascination for orthopedics
I was fascinated with orthopedics. If I wanted to be lazy, I would have picked up radiology: it was laziest — just sit down, watch the screen type. I knew spine was very badly dealt then and success rate was low. I was abroad in Korea, Singapore, Denmark to do the spine fellowships. There are times when you know, you take up a high-risk case but you won’t get the best result. But then you think, ok, at least let me do something where I can leave the patient here. But then those things would go worse. Like, I picked up a very old lady who was completely bent and then I took it up and let me get her straight up. But then those people don’t respond. Well, there are times I’ve had insomnias because of patients. Sometimes I felt why did I take a spine? But then I think luckily things went down well over the past 20 years.
Dad was in TDP, I was with KCR
I knew (TRS chief and former CM) K Chandrasekhar Rao was doing hunger strike in Delhi. Since I was KTR’s friend, I volunteered to treat him. My dad was in TDP and for me Telangana was an emotion. When I was treating, I think everybody called him my dad, saying Sanjay is on TV with KCR. I was a practicing doctor and it was no politics for me. And then I cared for the man; so, I just went. Now I am the family man for them; so, you give advice. Total hip replacement was my profession, so when KCR had to go through it, I just went in there. Family members are more comfortable, when they know faces are there in operation theater. KCR did not want to change candidate and said “Sagar is contesting”. But my father suffered brain stroke and was very sure that he didn’t want to contest. KCR won’t spoon-feed you at all you need to fight your battle.
Don’t want to be involved with the government
I was thinking of setting up my own hospital but by then I gained the reputation of being a doctor who helps everybody. So, I started thinking if I set up in the hospital, would I be able to sustain the hospital? I don’t charge on a day-to-day basis and Yashodha Hospitals are very kind enough in giving discounts to my patients from my constituency. I am known as “Discount Doctor”. I even wanted to set up a medical college. I ran around but then it did not happen, and then I realised the rules were changing continuously. If not a doctor, the only thing I could do was being a contractor is my dad’s version. And then I was strictly told ‘no’ as I can’t deal with his government official every day. And that thing has stayed in my mind forever. I set up a hatchery, which has got nothing to do with the government. That is my thought process for a long – don’t do any business with the government, as some day something can come up against you.
In politics to bring change
One thing my father wanted me to do was to set up a hospital. He did not want me to take this pain of coming into politics. I never wanted to come to politics. But the last couple of years I saw, KCR’s work where you can make a huge change in life. And honestly speaking, my main aspirations were how do I get more employment in my native place? How do you get industries there? How does the education system change? I am doctor for all my constituents. I even contemplated if I could do this without being in politics. But I realized, no; I can’t do both of these things. So, I realized I have to be in this game to get things done. My father is little sad that I am in the Opposition. When BRS lost, I had emotions going up and I was, I was actually sad. Honestly, I would not have bothered if I was not an MLA if you just develop my constituency and give 10,000 jobs. At least I know for education I am going to do either CSR or whatever way.
Arranged marriage
I was a very disciplined kid; so, I was like I am going to marry the one whom my parents want as their daughter-in-law. My wife Deepthi takes care of my business and the kids. She does everything and definitely more than what I am doing. She bosses me around (laughs). When I was a doctor over the weekends, it was family time. Until a year and a half ago, I was more of a family man, taking care of kids. My daughter Sasha in 12th standard and wants to pursue structural engineering. My son Arush is in the 8th standard. My kids maybe are fine with my career choices but, sometimes think they are complaining now that I’m not bothered. I couldn’t help my daughter with her 12th; she did it all by herself. My kids don’t want to be doctors and they think of it as punishment. I am not strict father. It looks like being spine surgeon was easy: work hard, study, and get it. My daughter keeps asking me if I flunked in medical school at least once, since it is a norm. I said never and she doesn’t believe (laughs).
Stepping into big shoes
There were hardly any controversies around me. I had carried some reputation because of my work as a doctor and because my dad has been there in politics for 15 years. I never got involved in politics and I was only there for people for health. There are zero allegation against me or my dad. I have seen a few people drifting up post-election. If you just go through my election campaign, my opponents Dharmapuri Arvind and Narasing Rao were using abusive language but the only thing I said: ‘I am a local, they are not locals’. I never used even one abusive word in my entire campaign. I got it on a 40% but last time we got 53%, since the formation of Korutla constituency, it was BRS and has been all the way my dad there. My party’s and my dad’s good deeds made me win. I am stepping into big shoes and that is my only problem now. Because if I was in, the ruling party; obviously I would be doing more work. So, I am going to have a tough time being in the Opposition.
Quick bytes
Happy moments: being with family and then friends
What makes you sad: regressive politics and hypocrisy
Bad habit: I laugh out loud and I am a little laidback
Describe yourself: I am like go with the flow guy. Chalti ka naam Gadi
Strength: My honesty and humbleness
Weakness: My friends feel like my honesty is my weakness in politics.
Favourite food: Eggs and meat also.
Favourite holiday destination: Europe
Quote you use often – Be the change you wish to see
Favorite color: blue; there are 30 shades of blue in my wardrobe.
