C Pradeep Kumar
Vijayawada
As the State commemorates the 14th death anniversary of Dr Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, affectionately known as YSR, a prominent figure in Indian politics on Saturday, the people fondly recall the trailblazing schemes and policies implemented by the former chief minister. Born on July 8, 1949, in Pulivendula to YS Raja Reddy and Jayamma, YSR hailed from a middle-class family. He pursued his MBBS at MRMC Gulbarga, Karnataka, and began his career as a doctor in Jammalamadugu before embarking on his political journey with the Congress party in 1975.
YSR, known for his friendly demeanour and easy-going nature, quickly made his mark in politics. In 1978, he secured a victory in the Pulivendula Assembly constituency, subsequently holding various ministerial positions, including Rural Development, Excise, and Education. His political journey led him to Kadapa Lok Sabha, where he continued his winning streak from 1985 to 1999. He then returned to Andhra Pradesh politics, serving as Leader of the Opposition from 1999 to 2004.
In a remarkable display of commitment, YSR undertook a three-month-long walkathon covering 1,475 kilometers from Chevella to Ichapuram during the sweltering summer months of 2003, traversing multiple districts in Andhra Pradesh. This endeavour was part of his election campaign and culminated in his party’s victory in the 2004 elections, where he was sworn in as the 14th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He repeated this feat in the 2009 Assembly elections, becoming the 15th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, tragically passing away on September 2, 2009.
During his tenure as the Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, spanning five years and three months, YSR introduced numerous innovative welfare and development programs in healthcare, irrigation, agriculture, and other sectors that set an example for the entire nation. Notably, his first initiative as Chief Minister was to provide financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of farmers who had tragically committed suicide, recognizing the importance of agriculture in India.
YSR’s visionary approach included irrigation project improvements through initiatives like “Jala Yagnam,” which involved the widening of Potireddypadu head regulator, Handrineeva Sujala Sravanti, Galeru Nagiri Sujalasravanti, Poolasubbaiah, and the monumental Polavaram project, which was his brainchild.
He also focused on enhancing groundwater levels, initiating an agriculture technology mission for research, and providing free electricity to farmers, despite opposition from the central government. YSR introduced numerous groundbreaking measures such as white ration cards for farmers and fee reimbursement for students facing financial hardship.
As a doctor known as the “Rs 1 doctor,” YSR introduced Aarogyasri, the ‘108’ and ‘104’ ambulance services, ensuring quality healthcare for all segments of the population, a legacy that continues to this day and has been adopted by many other states.
Dr. YSR’s tenure as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister showcased his dedication to welfare surpassing even experienced leaders like Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, PV Narasimha Rao, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy, and others.
Following Dr. YSR’s untimely demise in a helicopter crash, his grieving fans and followers across Andhra Pradesh succumbed to shock and heartache, mourning the loss of their beloved leader and torchbearer.
In the wake of this tragedy, Dr. YSR’s son, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, then an MP from Kadapa, embarked on an “Odarpu Yatra” to console the bereaved families who couldn’t bear the loss of YSR. Subsequently, he founded a new political party, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), with a ceiling fan as its symbol.
The political landscape underwent significant changes as Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In the 2014 elections, Jagan Mohan Reddy narrowly missed victory. Taking inspiration from his father, he initiated a “Padayatra” to connect with the masses, covering 3,648 kilometers in 341 days. In the 2019 general elections, YSRCP, led by Jagan, achieved a historic landslide victory, securing 151 MLAs and 22 Lok Sabha seats with nearly 50 percent of the vote share.
As the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has continued his father’s legacy, prioritizing welfare and development. He has introduced a plethora of innovative schemes that have set benchmarks for other states in India. Notable among these are extending free power from 7 to 9 hours during the daytime, the YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan program, Dr. YSR Rythy Bharosa Kendrams, crop insurance, Sunna Voddi, Matsakara Bharosa, cattle loss compensation, ‘Jala Kala’, House site pattas, ‘Aasara’, and ‘Cheyutha’.
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has also introduced schemes like ‘Kapu Nestam’, ‘Vahana Mitra’, ‘Law Nestam’, ‘Aarogyasri’, ‘Pension Kanuka’, ‘Netanna Nestham’, ‘Kalyanamastu – Shadi Thofa’, ‘Kanti Velugu’, ‘Sampoorna Poshana’, ‘Giri Putrika Scheme’, ‘YSR insurance’, and ‘YSR Chirunavvu’ scheme, along with ‘YSR EBC Nestam’.
MVS Nagi Reddy, Vice Chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Agriculture Mission, remarked that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, much like his father Dr. YSR, has prioritised education, agriculture, and healthcare during his 51 months as Chief Minister. An impressive Rs 31,005 crore has been distributed as Rythu Bharosa to support farmers. In a groundbreaking move, the YSRCP government has extended Rythu Bharosa to tenant farmers. Beyond this, initiatives like the expansion of ambulance services for veterinary care at the village level, providing 30 lakh houses for the underprivileged, and many more have further solidified YS Jagan’s commitment to the welfare and development of Andhra Pradesh.
MVS Nagi Reddy, Vice Chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Agriculture Mission, remarked that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, much like his father Dr. YSR, has prioritised education, agriculture, and healthcare during his 51 months as Chief Minister.
