In a remarkable display of lifelong dedication to public service, a 95-year-old freedom fighter has officially begun his term as the village sarpanch in Telangana. Guntakandla Ramachandra Reddy took oath as the sarpanch of Nagaram village in Suryapet district this week, following a successful debut in the recent local body elections.
A Lifetime of Service Culminates in Leadership Role
Guntakandla Ramachandra Reddy, popularly known as 'Nagaram Bapu', brings over six decades of indirect public service into a formal leadership position. He stated that his decision to contest was driven by a desire to complete pending development work in his village. "I have been in public service for more than 60 years, playing a crucial role in electing sarpanches. They have done a lot, but more remains, and I wish to take up the challenge," he said after taking the oath on Tuesday.
The nonagenarian leader, who is the father of former BRS minister G Jagadish Reddy, walks without a stick and has no eyesight problems. "But I have a vision," he asserted, outlining his immediate goal. "I will work towards setting up a library in the village so that those studying for competitive exams can make use of it."
From Freedom Struggle to Village Development
Ramachandra Reddy's commitment to his community has deep roots. His involvement began during the freedom movement, where he secretly worked as a courier, aligning with communists against the Nizam rule. He revealed that he resisted direct involvement at the time due to family responsibilities. "I told them I had a family to take care of. But I worked in whatever manner I could in the struggle for Independence," he recounted.
After Independence, his focus shifted to local governance. He first helped get his elder brother elected as sarpanch, who then served for 20 years. Subsequently, he supported other candidates for the position. "Now I felt that since there is more work to be done, especially in education and medical facilities, I decided to devote my time to occupy a position and do the needed work for my village," he explained.
Future Plans and a Promise of Inclusive Governance
Beyond the library, the new sarpanch has concrete plans for Nagaram's progress. He promised to build a function hall for the village in memory of his late wife, Savithri, who passed away in 2014. Emphasizing a non-partisan approach, Reddy made a significant pledge for cooperative governance. "Let us restrict politics only to polls. I will work with all parties for the development of my village," he declared.
Ramachandra Reddy, a father of four sons and a daughter, traces his awareness of village needs back to the age of ten. His physical vitality and clear vision at 95 stand as a testament to his unwavering spirit. His election and oath-taking mark a unique chapter in Telangana's panchayati raj history, proving that the zeal for community service knows no age limit.
