Trusted President who took 70% pay cut

On June 1, 1996, India bid farewell to its sixth President, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, a leader of calm strength and steady values. Born at Illur village in the present-day Andhra Pradesh, Reddy’s political journey — like most of his contemporaries — began with the freedom struggle. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, he only wore khadi and gave up comfort to join the Independence movement. In 1937, he became the Secretary of the Andhra Provincial Congress Committee (APCC), and was imprisoned twice for participating in popular movements against the British rule. Post-1947, his political career was marked by a commitment to democratic principles and public service. He went on to become the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, prioritising grassroots development during his tenure. Throughout his life, he strongly advocated for the development of his home state. On the national stage, taking the role of the Lok Sabha Speaker, he gained respect across the political spectrum for his impartiality and a deep respect for parliamentary decorum. The most interesting chapter of his life was his unexpected return to public service in the late 1970s. Having briefly retired from politics, Reddy was asked to contest for presidency. In 1977, when India was emerging from the chaos following the Emergency, leaders from all sides agreed that Reddy was a figure they could trust. He became the only President in India’s history to be elected unopposed. As the President, he set an example by cutting his salary by 70 per cent, at a time when India was struggling economically. In a world of power struggle and race for dominance, Reddy stuck to his simple ways. As President, Reddy often insisted on walking to nearby places, instead of using his official car. Once, when he was asked why he did so, he smiled and said, “If I can walk, why make the driver wait?” His tenure at the highest office — from 1977 to 1982 — was characterised by a commitment to constitutional values and national unity. After his term, Reddy retired from active politics and chose a life of simplicity on his farm at Anantapur. He died of pneumonia in Bangalore in 1996. Those who knew him recall a man who never let power change him, but one who served his state and nation with the utmost grace. A symbol of quiet leadership, honesty and humility, Reddy’s demise also marked the end of the era of idealist and selfless patriots.

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