Pen gifted to me at the Harvard University, Boston, in 2013

I was just sifting through memorabilia at home and came across the pen gifted to me when I went to the Harvard to speak about my work for the people. The shield of the Harvard can be seen too.

At a 'Headlines Today' discussion program hosted by Rahul Kanwal about 10 days ago

Expansion of the scope of donations to our activities

I have been seeking donations for three main activities that I was supervising in two categories.

Category 1: Political initiatives
Activity (a): My political campaign

Category 2: Social initiatives
Activity (a): Social activities such as road-side drinking water kiosks during summer, school bags to girl child, food distribution in orphanages and old-age homes, lighting facilities to tribals and nomads, etc.
Activity (b): 'Voter India' initiative involving door-to-door voter enrollment, voter deletion check-up centers, etc.

In coming months, I would like to expand the scope of the donations to include a third category -- "Environmental initiatives."

Why?

1. Environment is very important to all of us, wherever we live
2. I am interested in spending some time in activities related to environment and I have a track record
3. I would like to include those who resonate with "environmental initiatives" in our "family of donors"

Watch out for more! Yes, please feel free to donate at www.dilipsankarreddy.com/donate

My accomplishments over the last 2 years

Irrespective of the nature of the result in the election, I would like to mention what I consider my accomplishments over the last 2 years:

• Doing my bit by standing as an example to demonstrate that politics is for everyone. To make a statement that it is for teachers, consultants, scientists, architects, engineers. It is for people of every single occupation.
• Clearing lots of doubts in hundreds of people about the nature of our engagement with politics. I have answered thousands of questions, engaged with many people over almost every day and I must say, inspire many to spend, at least few hours in our political processes.
• Provided perspectives and actively involved/led activities related to governance, voter registration, civic responsibility.
• Persuaded few hundred people to realize the importance of donating to a political campaign and actually donating.
• Communicated over Facebook, articles, conference appearances, television, emails, about various ideas, happenings, processes of our political and civic engagement.

I might have made many mistakes, I might have been wrong many times, I could have done a lot of things better than how I did them. I learned along the way. I learned by being with you all people.

Only 52% voter turnout in Malkajgiri Assembly constituency

I am sad for the last two days because the voter turnout in Malkajgiri Assembly constituency, the political campaign in which managed to grab the attention of the entire state, could achieve a voter turnout of only 52%.

The turnout has actually reduced from 54.6% in 2009.

This is the same story across most of the constituencies across Hyderabad.

We led the Voter India initiaitive in Malkajgiri to enroll thousands of new voters and inspire people to turn up to vote. Yet, we have a low voter turnout.

I am blaming the people for this. They, as a group, do not have any excuse for failing to vote. The sad state of governance in India is due to non-participation of people in the electoral process.

I am an optimist. So do join me in the Voter India initiative at www.dilipsankarreddy.com/donate

Most of the donations to me are from people I have not yet met

Let me tell you an interesting fact -- Most of the donations to me are from people I have not yet met!

Another fact -- Most of the donations to me in recent times are from people I do not know personally or professionally!

I will put out more detailed statistics soon.

May be this pleasant phenomenon is because people far and wide like what I do with their money and trust me for putting their money for the intended task.

It has been two years since I started asking funds for my activities in public sphere. A good number of people have responded and I have immense gratitude to my "family of donors". In coming years, I am thinking of certain initiatives to take this forward and engaging with my "family of donors" in a more constructive and fulfilling manner.

Yes, you too are welcome to join this family: www.dilipsankarreddy.com/donate

I look forward to your support. Thanks.

Kudos to Sirivennela Seetarama Sastry for taking a public stance

What ails our celebrities -- moviestars, entrepreneurs, sportspersons, writers, etc., -- is they do not come out in public to endorse good candidates. Most of the time, they want to be in the good books of everyone and not take any political stance.

Sirivennela Seetarama Sastry came out and took a public stance to endorse Lok Satta and me. He spent considerable amount of time for the last few weeks in this effort. I thank him for that.