About me

Gongireddy Raghava Reddy was born on 5th July 1928 in Pemberti village of Warangal district of Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh. Coming from a decent land lord's family, Raghava Reddy lost both his parents Gongireddy Ananta Reddy and Ramachudamma to cholera by age 6. Even at that young age, he had the foresight to understand the gravity of the changing times during the 1930s and 40s. As a result, young Raghava Reddy left his birthplace of Pemberthi village to pursue higher dreams and wanting to give importance to education rather than landed properties.

In 1934, a well-known revolutionary leader, late Sri. Ravi Narayan Reddy, brought this young boy to Vivek Vardhini High School, Hyderabad. On March 9, 1934, Mahatma Gandhi visited this high school where Ravi Narayan Reddy as Secretary of Harijan seva sangh, requested Gandhiji to visit the Harijan Hostel. Gandhiji asked Ravi Narayan Reddy whether any upper caste boys are put up with the Harijan boys. Ravi Narayan Reddy replied by saying, no. Then Gandhiji expressed his displeasure and advised that at least one upper caste boy be lodged along with the Harijan boys in an effort to eradicate "Untouchability".

The choice fell on young Raghava Reddy who was taken to Mahatma, as the token child to be lodged with the 40 Harijan boys. Mahatma put his hand on this young lad, blessed him, and told the gathering "what is preached should be honestly practiced". Raghava Reddy remained the only upper caste boy in the hostel, where he received primary education.

This left a very deep impact on Raghava Reddy at an impressionable age, which enabled him to build up an indomitable spirit, to face the harsh realities of life, and meet challenges throughout his long life with Confidence, Courage, and Conviction.

This is an atypical example of a boy hailing from "Desmukh" zamindars family owning landed properties in four villages and having every thing except parental care, found comfort to stay in Harijan hostel, only because Mahatma Gandhiji personally blessed him. Here we quote the thought of Gandhiji himself "Strength does not come by physical capacity; it comes by indomitable will"

Subsequently, moving on to Reddy Hostel in Hyderabad was another turning point because he found a role model in its founder, Raja Bahadur Venkatrama Reddy. Raja Bahadur Venkatrama Reddy was a monumental figure in the history of Hyderabad and a legendary commissioner of police who became a mentor for many children of agricultural families to pursue education at a time when schooling was considered merely as a distraction. Raghava Reddy, under the noble guidance and strict discipline of this distinguished social reformer, completed his Matriculation with good merit in 1942. In this historical year, he had the privilege of participating in "Quit India" movement and was able to comprehend the significance of the National movement.mark stands even today attracting a large number of pilgrims and tourists from all over the country.

Raghava Reddy took up conventional agriculture as an occupation. Soon after, he was married to Kamala Devi in 1945 and stayed in the village till 1948; all the while he had the painful experience of witnessing the atrocities of Razakars, Police Action for Liberation of the Nizam state, and the changing political scenario in the state.

His passion for pursuing further education drove him to seek an employment in a state owned corporation at Hyderabad and enrolled into the just started, Night College. With enormous zest and single-minded devotion, he worked and studied to graduate in Arts from Osmania University, again with distinction in 1952. He subsequently studied Law for two years in the evening college.

As he was preparing to write his final year exams, Hyderabad State Public Service Commission announced its recruitment for Hyderabad Police Service (HPS). Raghava Reddy quickly seized the opportunity, as HPS was considered to be a prestigious and coveted service. He was selected to HPS and began as Deputy Superintendent of Police in 1957. He retired with the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police with brilliant record from IPS cadre in 1986 after serving 32 long years with the utmost discipline, determination, and dedication.

In recognition of his professional competence of high order, he was awarded the Indian Police Medal for meritorious service in 1972 and the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 1982. He was also honoured with several other awards, all of which leave an indelible impact as an unforgettable police officer of the state. He visits the National Police Academy, A.P. Police Academy, Central Detective Training School, and various other institutions to give talk about his rich and varied experiences in police service. Experience is the best teacher in life. How true it is!

This is the success story of Raghava Reddy now a senior citizen of 79 years, who underwent two bypass surgeries and now suffers from stomach cancer but still works with enviable alacrity. Modest, soft-spoken, well read, and widely traveled, this affable senior citizen is always ready to help others with a smiling face, Quoting Lord Vivekananda, "when you take your problem, you feel heavy; when you take others problem you feel light".

After retirement he chose to settle down in his farm at Shamshabad in the outskirts of Hyderabad city where he took up cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants on experimental basis, which have proved successful. He continues to receive appreciation from a galaxy of renowned scientists, experts, progressive farmers, and academicians from different parts of the country.

He is now fully engaged in educating farmers in rural areas to shed traditional cultivation and take up modern methods of farming for sustainable source of income with the saying that if he has been a good police officer it is incidental and if he is a useful progressive farmer it is traditional. That is the pride he takes in the occupation of farming, which should help us in reconstruction of rural economy. What a noble effort at this ripe age, silently conveying the message that hard work cannot be substituted.

For further details on Raghava Reddy as a Police Officer, as a Farmer, his Photo Album, and Family History, click on the corresponding buttons at the beginning of this homepage.