It is really shocking to know that Vijayender
Reddy, who has devoted more than 18 years of the most productive phase
of his life for public service, is no more. He died in a car accident. He is 48 and was emerging as a key Telangana state leader.
Though I personally worked with Vijayender Reddy on very few activities, I had a strong rapport with him. He liked me a lot for various reasons and considered himself my guide. He used to feel very happy whenever I was around and that was very much visible often.
He was one of the first members of the Lok Satta movement and he held on to his beliefs against incredible challenges. He was the "Telangana Mass Maharaja" of Lok Satta. He used to inspire hundreds of people among low-income groups to come to various public events. Over the years, his enthusiasm had tempered down a bit due to public apathy towards involving themselves in good governance. However, for the last few months, he was extremely happy with the creation of Telangana state and he was busy making plans to reach out to Telanganites in rural places on a massive scale.
Our relationship strengthened when he called me one day to give unsolicited advice. There were certain organizational challenges that I was facing/handling and with a genuine concern for me, he made the phone call. His wise advice was very helpful to me at that time.
Thereafter, he continued to treat me like his trusted friend. Very recently, he had called me one month ago for certain reasons and I was supposed to get back to him. Before I could, he has passed away.
His life is an example of the troubles many honest people face when they enter public life to do good to the society. He did not devote time to improve the quality of his life but used most of his time and energy for the people. Yet, public were indifferent to his efforts. His efforts will not go in waste because it has strengthened immensely a movement to bring in better governance.
He leaves behind his wife, a son and a daughter. He came from a very modest financial background, leaves behind very modest financial sources for his family, but does manage to create a powerful story of public service. A story of 18 years of sweat and sacrifice.
Though I personally worked with Vijayender Reddy on very few activities, I had a strong rapport with him. He liked me a lot for various reasons and considered himself my guide. He used to feel very happy whenever I was around and that was very much visible often.
He was one of the first members of the Lok Satta movement and he held on to his beliefs against incredible challenges. He was the "Telangana Mass Maharaja" of Lok Satta. He used to inspire hundreds of people among low-income groups to come to various public events. Over the years, his enthusiasm had tempered down a bit due to public apathy towards involving themselves in good governance. However, for the last few months, he was extremely happy with the creation of Telangana state and he was busy making plans to reach out to Telanganites in rural places on a massive scale.
Our relationship strengthened when he called me one day to give unsolicited advice. There were certain organizational challenges that I was facing/handling and with a genuine concern for me, he made the phone call. His wise advice was very helpful to me at that time.
Thereafter, he continued to treat me like his trusted friend. Very recently, he had called me one month ago for certain reasons and I was supposed to get back to him. Before I could, he has passed away.
His life is an example of the troubles many honest people face when they enter public life to do good to the society. He did not devote time to improve the quality of his life but used most of his time and energy for the people. Yet, public were indifferent to his efforts. His efforts will not go in waste because it has strengthened immensely a movement to bring in better governance.
He leaves behind his wife, a son and a daughter. He came from a very modest financial background, leaves behind very modest financial sources for his family, but does manage to create a powerful story of public service. A story of 18 years of sweat and sacrifice.
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