When I was studying in tenth standard at Rosary Convent, precisely 7 years back, I came to know of this man - Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who I fondly grew to like over the course of time through one of my bosom friend who is related to him. YSR (as he is lovingly addressed by everyone) was not even in power but was the front runner in the congress party at Hyderabad. In 2003, while TDP was in power and Mr. Naidu was content with christening Cyberabad, YSR was making a difference in the lives of the poor farmers, the oppressed and downtrodden. He was the heart beat of farmers and a visionary who could fore see that the heart of AP lies with the farmers, and he devised plans to uplift them after the spade work that he did in the form of his Padayatra. He walked about 1500 km on foot and understood their needs and requirements. He became one among them and stooped to see, hear and comprehend their concerns. And it
was certainly not an eye wash but people could see the love that he shared and he won their hearts!
In 2004, he trounced over TDP and made a clean sweep. He and his party delivered on the promises made to the people and were voted back to power in the recent 2009 elections, and YSR was thus sworn in as CM of AP for the second consecutive term. From giving free power to the farmers, to housing schemes, from selling rice at Rs 2 for the poor at a time when it was actually sold at an exorbitant Rs 32, to 3 % interest loans for women, developing irrigation, providing employment opportunities, giving away crores to students fees, pension facilities to women self help groups, health and making the famous Rajiv Gandhi 108 ambulance service effective; I must say the clichéd line - you name it! A striking aspect of this ambulance service is that, in the event of an accident, one needs to dial 108 and the ambulance will rush to the spot in 2 mins. It’s also equipped with oxygen cylinders and first aid to stabilise the victim till they reached hospital. It did save the lives of many, including that of my brother when he met with a fatal accident. He also empowered women through many of his initiatives and made Sabita Indira Reddy, the home minister for this present term - she is the first woman home minister AP has witnessed.
I remember the days when my friend and I would appeal to people we met - at tuition, in our neighborhood to vote for him and bring him to power. It was a canvassing of sorts. What fun days they were and we rejoiced when he was voted to power in 2004. For the 2009 elections, my friend was in US but the loyalties still continued. All of us who voted for him and his party did not change our minds as the decision was strongly rooted in us way back when we were teens.
So it was earth shattering for all of us to hear the news of his untimely demise in a chopper crash and kind of a jest but unfortunately it was a harsh reality that came in as a rude shock. The entire state came to a stand still. Lakhs of people turned up to pay their homage. Traffic was hauled up for hours, the police faced a challenge of stopping the crowd - there was utter chaos and commotion. None of us has expected that it would all end like this. People who couldn't go, like us were glued to the TV sets and the entertainment channels were stanched for 2 days until the funeral was over. We all wept and felt like there was a death in our families. This is the kind of love he garnered. Arbitrarily 120 people died after hearing the news of his death - many died of shock while few committed suicide. I know it just does not make sense but it was a personal loss for all of us. My friend couldn't return from US for his funeral, but her dad could make it. If she was here, I would go too.
I have only read about such leaders in my history books but he is the only benevolent leader I have seen and witnessed in recent times. I could see Christ in him, he was so Christ like in the love that he shared, in caring for the poor and needy, his simplicity (the dhoti he wore though he loved wearing western, to be nearer to the Aam Admi or the common man and be one among them) and humility. YSR - We love you and miss you!! R.I.P.
I’m quite defiant about my roots as most of us are! I believe that no matter what you ace, accomplish, transform and evolve as an individual, one should never forget one’s roots: WHERE YOU COME FROM? I was born in Nizamabad, my Mom’s natal place. She is essentially from that place, but later migrated to the City: Hyderabad, when she joined my Papa in wedlock. It is apparent in India that a pregnant woman is off to her maternal home for delivery. Nevertheless I was brought up in Hyderabad/ హైదరాబాదు.
I have been residing here since 20 years and I still find this place so invigorating… Hyderabad never fell short of giving me the best; be it education, Job contentment, extended families, a string of friends, great infrastructure. You name it…Hyderabad is redolent with a glorious past. The City is feted for its pedigree of remarkable rulers: Qutub Shahi’s and Asif Jahi’s/Nizams; who left an inimitable legacy for its posterity- from Charminar to Hyderabadi Biryani (the iconic dish of Hyderabad).Hyderabad was initially called Bhagyanagar after Mohammed Quli’s beloved Baghmati. Once she moved to the Royal Palace and embraced Islam, she was named Hydermati/mahal. Therefore Hyderabad is a ramification of Hydermati.
Hyderabad emanates a cosmopolitan culture that accommodates and embraces all cultures. This cosmopolitan feature of Hyderabad dates back to Nizams who worked in harmony with the British and often threw parties for each other sans any entrenched prejudices. This facilitated a blend of Muslim and Anglo culture. Hyderabad has a twin: Secunderabad that is sequestered by the Hussain Sagar Lake. This lake, in common parlance, is a signature of Hyderabad, next only to Charminar; it’s a man-made lake that was built during the reign of Qutub Shahi’s in the 16th cen. The Hall mark of this lake is the monolithic Buddha statute that emblazon's it. The lake ,A heart shaped Jewel that keeps the two cities together has become a timeless hit with Hyderabadi’s. Secunderabad was founded as a British cantonment and has a large Army and Air Force presence to this date. Its eponymous too as it takes its name after Sikander Jah, the 3rd Nizam of the Asif Jahi Dynasty.
IT and Infrastructure was at its zenith during the reign of Chandrababu Naidu. He garnered accolades for his concept of an image overhaul of Hyderabad with fly overs and state-of-the-art buildings. Hi-tech City mushroomed in leaps and bounds and thus Hyderabad was put on the World Map as the IT Capital of India, along with Bangalore. There is ostensibly a preponderance of Telugus over the other communities here. Telugu is a must in ¾ th of Schools here. However we Telugu’s are not as rigid as the madrasi’s who cannot accommodate either Hindi or English apart from Tamil on their hoardings. It equates to shutting the door on an outsiders face. Hyderabadi’s are UNDENIABLY warm, friendly and hospitable. They preen over their local, typical, vibrant Hyderabadi language: a mix of Hindi, Urdu and Telugu. Did you know that Hindi and Urdu are dialects of the same language? I always thought they are two different languages until I studied for the linguistics exam :-)
Of late, umpteen Designer Boutiques, Malls, Restaurants and Hotels have sprung up. So you want to sport a Tommy Hilfiger Sweater this winter? Head to Banjara Hills; A seven star Hotel for Corporate Conferences? Novotel at Hitex; A swanky Hotel to accommodate your clients? ITC Sheraton Kakatiya at Begumpet; Luxury of movies in a Multiplex? There’s Prasad’s, IMAX, PVR. An ambience of a restaurant that transports you to a breath-taking place? Exotica at Banjara Hills (I love that place)Women, what about seamless shopping? Abids, Koti, Old City, James Street, Parklane, Begumpet, Banjara Hills etc. Please feel free to add to the list. You will find an Irani Café: Chai, Samosa and Osmania Biscuits on street corners and a theatre within every 500 meters in the City. That’s Hyderabad for you!
Hyderabadi’s- continue exploring the place.
Outsiders- come and see for yourselves. I’m sure it will never fail to amaze you!
There was a time when US of A was considered to be a land of dreams and opportunities. Today perhaps not with all the mayhem in finances and unemployment looming large!Whatever it might be, I just give a damn. It’s Hyderabad- a land of opportunities and dreams for me.
PS: One of my optional in Graduation was History; this dalliance with History began way back in school. Hence it’s been easy for me to give a historic spin to it. Apparently anything on earth will be incomplete sans History.
When I was studying in tenth standard at Rosary Convent, precisely 7 years back, I came to know of this man - Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who I fondly grew to like over the course of time through one of my bosom friend who is related to him. YSR (as he is lovingly addressed by everyone) was not even in power but was the front runner in the congress party at Hyderabad. In 2003, while TDP was in power and Mr. Naidu was content with christening Cyberabad, YSR was making a difference in the lives of the poor farmers, the oppressed and downtrodden. He was the heart beat of farmers and a visionary who could fore see that the heart of AP lies with the farmers, and he devised plans to uplift them after the spade work that he did in the form of his Padayatra. He walked about 1500 km on foot and understood their needs and requirements. He became one among them and stooped to see, hear and comprehend their concerns. And it
