Dr. YSR, a role model for Jagan

Hyderabad, April 9, 2013: It was on April 9 ten years ago that the late legendary leader Dr. YSR began his historical 1500-km Praja Prasthanam Padayatra from Chevella in Ranga Reddy district to Ichchapuram in Srikakulam district.

Dr. YSR wanted to become closer to the people, to understand their problems from their neighbourhood and asses their requirements as one among them through his Padayatra. It was historic as no other leader dared to undertake such a Padayatra before YSR. It was unique as YSR undertook the foot march in the hot summer of 2003 to reach out to the people to boost up their confidence and rekindle their hopes on their future. It was innovative too as YSR successfully proved to the world that Padayatras are political instruments that would help leaders take democracy to the doorstep of the people and bridge the gap between people and leaders.

YSR never hankered after political power but power came to his feet later as he became closer to the people first through his Padayatra. His Padayatra and his later accession to political power proved that leaders would become successful only when they assess people’s requirements and take steps to fulfill them.

Knowing the requirements of the masses and of the poor, Dr. YSR effortlessly implemented a plethora of welfare schemes during his regime and fulfilled the aspirations of people. He sincerely gave them what they wanted. His sincerity in implementing various welfare schemes such as free power, Arogya Sri, 104 and 108 services, pensions to the widows, the aged and the mentally and visually challenged people and loans to women at 25 paisa interest without taxing them in return catapulted him to the pedestal of power once again in 2009.

YSR, a role model for Jagan

Taking Dr. YSR as his role model, YSR Congress chief  Sri Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had chosen April 9 in 2010 to launch his Odarpu Yatra to become closer to people and to become one among them like YSR in the process of keeping up his promise to the people.

For Sri Jagan Mohan Reddy, fulfilling the commitment given to the people at Pavuralagutta was more important than anything else. This commitment only transformed itself into his Odarpu Yatra. Following the footsteps of his father, Sri Jagan Mohan Reddy also didn’t run after power but he showed his spirits to reach out to people. He ignited his enthusiasm to be one among the people and to mingle with them who showered their solidarity with his family in difficult times. It was his inner instinct to develop and nurture his relationship with people who Jagan Mohan Reddy considered were part of his bigger family that made him defy the Congress command and continue with his Odarpu Yatra.

There is no need for leaders like Sri Jagan Mohan Reddy to search for political power but the power itself would search for, and embrace, leaders like him. The day is not far off when the world will witness this phenomenon.