Freedom fighter, 95, takes charge as Nagaram sarpanch
HYDERABAD: A 95-year-old freedom fighter has taken oath as sarpanch of Nagaram village in Suryapet district, pledging to dedicate the rest of his life to public service and village development, keeping politics confined to elections.
Guntakandla Ramachandra Reddy, father of former Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) minister G Jagadish Reddy, was elected in the recent local body polls and assumed office on Tuesday.
Veteran of public life
“I have been in public service for more than 60 years, playing a role in the election of several sarpanches. A lot has been done, but much more remains,” Ramachandra Reddy said after taking oath. “I want to take up that challenge now.”
Despite his age, he walks without a stick and has no eyesight problems. Popularly known as ‘Nagaram Bapu’, he said he remained active in village affairs from a young age.
Focus on education, health
“I have a vision,” he said. “I will work towards setting up a library in the village so students preparing for competitive examinations can use it.” He also said education and medical facilities would be among his priorities.
Ramachandra Reddy recalled working secretly as a courier during the freedom movement, aligning with communists against the Nizam rule. After Independence, he played a key role in getting his elder brother elected sarpanch, who served for two decades. He later supported several candidates and helped them win local elections.
‘Will work with all parties’
Explaining his decision to contest now, he said, “I felt more work needed to be done. So I decided to take up responsibility and serve the village directly.”
He said he had resisted joining the movement openly during the Nizam era due to family responsibilities, but contributed in whatever way he could. “I was only 10 when I became conscious of the needs of my village and its people,” he added.
Ramachandra Reddy has four sons and a daughter. His wife Savithri died in 2014. “I will build a function hall in her memory for the benefit of the village,” he said. “Let us restrict politics only to polls. I will work with all parties for the development of my village.”
