Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Forgotten Leader - George Reddy


Osmania University, Hyderabad, the place which gave birth to many revolutionary leaders and many revolutionary moments, continues to stand aloof amidst huge political crises, para-military forces deployed and continual surveillance of the state intelligence department. Let it be the Jai Telangana moment in 1969, 2009, Ramiza Bee incident, Naxal - Government talks and any other notable moment in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Osmania university has been a hub for political and student activities.

It may be the soil or the air which sets students to believe strong ideologies and turn them into leaders. Today, when we take a look at the past, most leaders who contributed to the society from the Telangana region are the products of OU which includes Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao who served as the Prime Minister of India and many other parliamentarians, legislatures, socialists, scientists, technologists, artists, journalists, etc.


But there are numerous students leaders who went into the old news paper racks of libraries and are hardly known to people today.
My father, Mr. Conda Venkatramana, an engineer from Osmania University, a former member of PDSU and a left sympathizer has always been my role model for the role he played in his student days and for his ideologies.  I was always very fascinated by the ideologies of the left and always discussed with my father about the leaders who stood as inspirations, following those principles.
1. Mr. George Reddy - was a student leader, an inspiration for many engineers in the early 70's.  He was the founder of revolutionary students moment - Progressive Democratic Students Union which was a student body on the campus of Osmania University. George Reddy was a university gold medalist, a mark of academic excellence. "He possessed extraordinary intelligence and answering his question in the class was always a challenge for his professors" says my father who was a staunch follower of him.  He was highly respected by his fellow students not only for his academic excellence, but for his social sense and his fight against the politically powered devils and bureaucrats. He was a PhD student and OU and worked part time at the AV College of arts as a lecturer. His charm, intellect, ideologies got him a lot of fame and fan following not only among his fellow students but also in the city of Hyderabad.  Very brave, straight forward and possessing a typical angry young man look, George Reddy never cared for threats from student bodies opposing him, politicians who were pissed off by his following on campus and by goons who thought he was a threat to their business.  He was a one man army and a man of action.  Right from the examination dates every other aspect on campus was done in consultation with him.  "PDSU remained the most powerful student body on campus and in many parts of Andhra Pradesh in the George Reddy era" says my father, who then took a very active part in the organization.  George was sure to win the assembly elections but to everyones shock, he was brutally murdered by Jan Shang activist on campus in the early 70's within the sight of the police.  Being strong and physically fit none dared to attack him directly.  Facing such a huge figure on campus was not an easy task, it would be something next to impossible for a group of students to kill him and get away with it. There was for sure a huge political force which planned and executed this murder with the help of a very huge mod in broad day light.
"He was our leader, he inspired us to fight against unjust and  stand against all odds" says my father and remembers his words "Jeena Hai tho marna seeko, Khadam khadam par ladna seeko (Learn to die if you wish to live, learn to fight at every step)". How inspiring were his words.
My dad says that this is what led him to fight for justice in incidents such as Ramiza Bee and many others.
My dad was arrested in March, 1978 along with many other student leaders and legislatures like Mr. Amanulla Khan during the incident where Ramiza Bee, a poor muslim lady from Karnool district who was taken to the police station and raped by an inspector and two constables. Her husband was beaten brutally. There was  a communal riot as the inspector who raped was a hindu. My father was also detained and beaten by the police for protesting against them at the Osmania Engineering college. My father says "Geroge Reddy was my inspiration and he awakened the leader in me".
Mr. Koora Rajanna Alias Anandji, the founder secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Janashakti (an organization which is the second most dominant group after CPI-Maoist and settled on a strategy of guerrilla warfare) one of the top Naxal leaders in the country who is also an engineer from Osmania University says that Geroge Reddy was his leader and inspiration and it was George who introduced him to PDSU.  Koora Rajanna is a mere example, many other leaders like Jampala Chandra Sekhar Prasad (who was a student leader, an active member of PDSU, who was killed in a police encounter) were staunch followers of George Reddy who continued to carry his ideologies even after his death, in pursuit of his dreams. 
George strongly believed in fighting to free India from the hands of imperialism and feudalism. He fought against commercialization, privatization and communalization of education. Even though he belonging to a forward caste, believed in reservation for weaker sections as a democratic demand. Struggle agains gender oppression and exploitation of women were also a part of his agenda.
Today Progressive Democratic Students Union is the student wing of Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) New Democracy. Even after almost 40 years of its establishment, PDSU plays an active role not only in the campus of Osmania University but also in many parts of Andhra Pradesh, with its aims and objectives being the ideologies and principles which George Reddy fought for. 
All my efforts to find a picture of George were not successful. But for the people who wish to see him, I recommend you to watch the movie Yuva,  directed by Mani Ratnam. George Reddy is the inspiration for the lead character Michael in the movie.  
A leader, a true inspiration - the Forgotten Leader - George Reddy.

61 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Replies
    1. He is from rompicherla village in pileru constituency, chittor dt

      Delete
    2. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
    3. Born in Kerala .father was Chittoor redies..love marriage with Leela mam...few years later disturbance in family ...as teacher she alone took responsible of the family ..George younger one is cerealreddy died at age 69so...he was killed by Lakhan Singh .nd 30..itseems near ou engineering hostel ..locker mafia is also involved...itseems...he is havin 1 elder sister.nd there father was central govt employee in Kerala..shifted from there to Kazipet
      Next to Hyderabad..PhD student..ou gold.medalist boxer..personal revenged were also responsible for his agressiveness....but loved poor .followed communism..inspired cbse Russian revolution..thamareddy baradwaja was also near to him in ou ..cine producer..

      Delete
  3. I dont know anything about his birth place. I only know about his education in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Avinash, George died 14th April 1972. PDSU was formed late 1974/early 1975. He was not only an inspiration for PDSU but also an inspiration for the formation of Radical Students Union (RSU) bulk of todays' Maoist leadership.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the info. We can hardly count the people who belonged to RSU now. Koora Rajanna who I mentioned was working closely with RSU.

      Delete
    3. George Reddy was born in Kerala. His father name is Raghu rami reddy.

      Delete
    4. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  4. nice article dude. by da by, do you have his picture?

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Anil - please find the picture in the last post.
    Link - http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2011/05/picture-of-george-reddy.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Avinash,
    Nice article, I have been looking for information on him for a while now. He had a brother(Cyril/Syril) who was doing Engineering in those days. George left a very strong impact on the people he had met. Would love to know more about his personaltiy from his friends like your father.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please find more information here.
      http://georgereddyamarrahe.blogspot.com/

      Delete
    2. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. @ Mr. Krishna - Yes, I also heard about Mr. Cyril Reddy (he is my dad's good friend). He is also from OU and is a leftist. He is a left sympathizer and still continues to keep in touch with all the then left leaders from OU.

    ReplyDelete
  9. @Avinash - I heard a local goonda Lakhan Singh was involved in the murder. I think it was all preplanned, when George entered one of the hostels along with a friend, ABVP group attacked him and George fought back. He was stabbed multiple times. Police which was close chose to ignore the event, not sure what was going on. I am not sure we will see a student leader like him again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  10. Also see if you can get your dad to write a blog under a title something The George I know. If we can get several of his friends write, that would be a good collection for people interested to know more about George, what do you think.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Now only saw the Tamil Version of Yuva, Ayutha Ezthu...It is still giving me goose bumps to know that there was a real person who has done all those things, that was featured in the film. Want to know more about his life, so pls ask your father and also George's other friends and family members to provide interesting anecdotes from his life, which could show, he was a boy or man with great potential and courage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please see this blog for first hand information

      Delete
    2. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  12. Hi Avinash..Inspiring article..I would like to know more about George Reddy. Unfortunate that his original photograph could not be found. How old was he when he joined OU?
    What was his family background and how did he spend his childhood??
    How did he go about inspiring so many people?
    How many years did he spend in the university and what activities did he do during this period which made him such an inspiring figure?
    Any info regarding court cases and judgements relating to his murder?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  13. Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  14. Hi, Avinash,i am Dr.George Reddy consultant Pschiatrist secunderabad, and iam proud to have the name and proud to tell iam named after the great George Reddy sir. My father was a great fan of george reddy and was a active PDSU leader from karimnagar, i was born after his death and my father named me in his memory.Thanks for the article and will be greatful if we can have his photographs.georeddypsy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please follow this blog. It is written by Mr George's brother
      http://georgereddyamarrahe.blogspot.com/

      Delete
  15. This is the only place where i could find some authentic info about George Reddy. Nice article man, keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
  16. can u give detail info abt his studies

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  17. Hi All! I was in tears to know that Micheal Vasanth was for real! He is close to my heart! a true inspiration! Avinash, can you take efforts to bring out a compilation of anecdotes, may be in the form of a book/booklet? and others can help spread it wide and far.. sharing these days is very easy.. kids in India are starved of good examples/leaders.. we raise such people to the status of Gods [or someone we can't relate to] and conveniently forget them.. be it Bhagat Singh or George.. lets spread his true spirit.. I want to know why he so committed to welfare of the people? why was he so sincere in studies? did he want to set an example? did he know that his life was threatened? what was his motivation? was he influenced by his parents? he did believe that he could bring change only without compromising with politicians? dint he cut corners? compromise at various levels?
    my email id: sramanathan77@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See this blog written by Mr. Karl (George's brother)
      http://georgereddyamarrahe.blogspot.com/

      Delete
    2. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  18. Hi Thanks for the details about George Reddy. Do you have any idea if there are any books on him, if so please post it here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  19. hi avi ... thanks for giving such information abt george reddy ... is he married..? wat abt their family? try to get full information abt him.. i just inspired of him.. thank u
    !!!!!!!!jai hindh!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can get that information here.
      http://georgereddyamarrahe.blogspot.com/

      Delete
  20. pl see a new blog on George started by his brother Karl
    http://georgereddyamarrahe.blogspot.com/
    Gita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. Gita,

      Thanks a lot.
      I know that this article about Mr George is very amateur. I just put this together as there was no information available online about him.
      I am very happy with your initiative. Looking forward towards learning more about him.

      Thanks,
      Avinash.

      Delete
  21. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/article3314122.ece?homepage=true

    I found an article about him in Hindu and i saw your article.Thought of sharing it with you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. george reddy aspirations canot be left ideally every student should atleast try to impliment his words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  23. yesterday i attended his 40th death anniversary at hyderabad..i saw one video of him which was played during meeting...the most inspirational his quote was "MEET VIOLENCE WITH VIOLENCE"

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi,

    am Vivega. Am from Piler..George is such an inspirational person. He died but he always lives in our heart. Brave man. Thanks to Mani rathnam sir for shown his life in d movie Yuva..Our country needs young bloods like him to stop corruption. Hope for the better India.

    Jai hind..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  25. Even though i am hard core rightist i like very much George Reddy for his neverthless efforts and commitment on poor students and intelectual thinking.

    Sekhar Chowdary.
    Tirupathi,
    S.V.University.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  26. I am proud that he belongs to my family tree. My father used to say he could memorize books in one reading. It is unfortunate that people have that narrow mind to end life of such an intellectual

    -Challa.Dharmateja
    Bangalore

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  27. thanks for sharing this information would be nice if i get insights about this man more ..thnk u

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  28. Recently, saw the movie after many years, and searched up a bit on him. I never understood the motives of the movie as a child. It all makes sense now. Thanks for the info.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  29. But its sad that AP didn't become a strong communist hub,still people divided by politicians on communal base

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeena Hai To Marna Seekho : The Life and Times of George Reddy - By Gita Ramaswamy

      Biography of George Reddy is now available for purchase. For more details please see the link below

      http://avinashconda.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeena-hai-to-marna-seekho-life-and.html

      Delete
  30. Hi, we are proud of such leader like George Reddy. Sir, Shall we have his family details? Along with George child hood photographs. And George special photo, which will appear in documentary that is,"Crisis in campus". We must make every student as a George. And can we have George last journey photos. I mean,rally from campus to Narayanguda.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi, we are proud of such leader like George Reddy. Sir, Shall we have his family details? Along with George child hood photographs. And George special photo, which will appear in documentary that is,"Crisis in campus". We must make every student as a George. And can we have George last journey photos. I mean,rally from campus to Narayanguda.

    ReplyDelete