Venkat Raman
Auckland, September 8, 2020
Several members of the ‘YSRCP NRI New Zealand’ got together on September 2, 2020 to donate blood as a part of community service and as a tribute their leader, Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, a former Chief Minister of the (YSR) South Indian State of Andhra Pradesh on his death anniversary.
Anand Yeddula, a Senior IT Consultant who organised the event at New Zealand Blood in Epsom, said that the organisation has been established to promote the causes championed by YSR who was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 2004 until his death in an air crash in 2009.
Vardhanthi Blood Camp
“The blood donation drive was our humble effort to serve the New Zealand communities as we face uncertain times perpetrated by Covid-19. It also commemorated ‘Vardhanthi’ (the death anniversary) of our Leader. Our Association will try to emulate the values followed by Mr Reddy. He inspired all of us through his innovative welfare schemes that no other person could imagine. It was his vision and concern for the poor and the needy in particular that is remembered by all Telugu-speaking people around the world,” Mr Yeddula said.
He said that the YSR Vardhanthi Blood Donation Camp was supported by leaders in Andhra Pradesh. They included Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission Chairperson Vasireddy Padma, Members of the AP Legislative Assembly Madhusudhan Reddy (from Srikalahasthi), Kethireddy Venkatarami Reddy (Dharmavaram) and Kethireddy Peddareddy (Tadipatri).
Among those who led the programme in Auckland were National Party candidate for Kelston Bala (Venu) Beeram, New Zealand Telugu Association Current and Past-Presidents respectively Srilatha Magatala and Jagadeeshwar Reddy Magatala and Mr Yeddula.
Other participants were Geetha Induri, Manoj Allam, Pranav Annamaraju, Samanth Degapudi, Shraddha Sai, Siva Ganda, Sreenivas Gotla, Susmitha Chinnamalreddy, Vijay Alla and Vinay Chandrapati.
“We had to limit the participation of our members and other volunteers because of Covid-19 Lockdown Level 2.5 and social distancing regulations,” Mr Yeddula said.
About Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy
Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, popularly known as YSR, was born on July 8, 1949 in Pulivendula in Andhra Pradesh.
In a career spanning 25 years, he served his State in various capacity. He was the President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly.
His life was a classic textbook case of service and commitment. He was kind to the poor and fierce with his political enemies.
He was personification of an ideal leader and a man who knew no fear.
YSR entered active politics in 1978 and contested and won in four State Assembly elections and Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Federal Parliament.
He was the 14th Chief Minister of the State in 2004. He died in a helicopter crash in the dense Nallamala forest on September 3, 2009.
