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“Why are you hiding YSR? He is the man of the moment.”

My former boss, a guru to many Internet journalists, wasn’t  amused when I downplayed the story of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s huge victory at the Assembly elections in 2004.

I justified myself, saying that Delhi was certainly more interesting than Andhra Pradesh on a day when the Lok Sabha election results were announced. The entire nation was too busy discussing if Sonia Gandhi should become Prime Minister.

“You must be able to see what YSR has done and achieved.  Haven’t you heard about his Padayaatra and his mass support? His efforts are helping the Congress come back to power after 10 years. So put it as the second lead on home page,” my boss ordered.

I grudgingly obeyed,  believing that I knew better.

My resentment faded when I read the newspapers the next day.  All of them had given YSR great prominence — just like my boss had predicted.

I forced myself to read the details of his 1400-km foot pilgrimage (Padayaatra) to the backward areas of the state, his humanitarianism and his popular support.

Five years later, during the Assembly elections held in May 2009, there were stories about corruption charges against YSR. I brushed them aside because by then,  I’d read and listened enough to know these stories were not true.

I don’t know what my previous boss would have said to my not giving importance to those stories.

If he had asked me to highlight those stories, I would probably have said: “Sir, he will be the man of the hour this time, too.”

On a day when the nation mourns his death, I know the footprints YSR has left behind will continue to inspire generations.

Written by Salil Jose

Let your voice be heard -  Write on Blogsamachar.in ( Pls send your stories and articles to blogsamachar@sify.com).

“Why are you hiding YSR? He is the man of the moment.”

Jinnah is dividing India again! Surprising that after 62 years of independence, our political parties have  still not matured to accept personal views of its own men.

But interestingly, most allies and partymen of the aging Bhartiya Janata Party seem to be utilising this opportunity to pull themselves out of the party under the pretext of opposing Jaswant’s expulsion. A few others have even used the  chance to vent their pent-up views on the sagging leadership of the party.

Whatever it is, as is the nature of a typical politician, each one of them have managed to encash the opportunity to their advantage.  What do you think? Post your views on this message board.

Samachar has undergone a host of changes over the last few months.

We have been toying with a variety of designs and new elements based on your  feedback.

Just to make things easier for you, we decided to start a blog of our own so that we can be in direct touch with you.

Post your views, suggestions, ideas or comments about the new look of www.samachar.com and about all the other elements that you would like to see in the site.

You could also touch base with us with your stories, pictures and blogs at blogsamachar@sify.com

We are eager to hear from you.