I began my journey today from Ravillavaripalle in Chittoor district. My hearty Sankranti greetings to Telugus across the world—I wish them all happiness and prosperity right through the year! May the festival bring joy and light into their lives. My father, the late Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, always used to say that poverty should not stand in the way of merit to shine and that people from impoverished background should get every opportunity to pursue higher studies. Two sisters Kirti and Tulasi from Adapareddipalle, met me today and told me—“Anna, thanks to your father’s pioneering scheme of fee reimbursement, both of us and our younger brother could complete our M.Tech.”

They thanked me profusely as a measure of gratitude to him. This display of thankfulness to me while expressing their gratitude to him touched me deeply. It is such overwhelming love and affection which are driving me with greater commitment and sincerity. Even some Marxist analysts have described the fee reimbursement scheme as a true example of socialism in practice. It goes without saying that education is the foundation for the success and development of future generations and strengthening the education system is the only way to build a progressive society.

A short while later, I met representatives of private schools and colleges who told me about the poor working conditions they faced, in terms of facilities and salaries and the pressure that they were subjected to. They felt as if they were reduced to bonded labourers. It is imperative that we focus on improving the condition of teachers as also ensure that there is no academic pressure on students and overhaul the system accordingly.

I met Sujata who told me—“Anna I have come all the way from Hyderabad to celebrate the Sankranti festival but I feel really unhappy because the government has hiked the bus fares to Rs.2300 per head.” She asked me—“What is the difference between private companies and the government which exploits its own citizens in this manner? “

Instead of helping people celebrate the festival in a joyous mood and facilitate their transport and reduce fares, the government is resorting to exploiting the situation and also backing private operators who resort to similar techniques on account of the demand around Sankranthi. Meanwhile, it does nothing to control the prices of essential commodities. How hostile can its policies be when it comes to addressing the needs of the common man!