- Ex Minister Backs Poor Student
- Medical PG Seat Secured… Rs. 20 lakh Education Loan
- Compassion Beyond Politics
Article Today, Siddipet:
In a striking gesture of personal commitment, former Telangana Minister and Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao pledged his own residential house to help a poor medical student continue her postgraduate education. The move ensured that financial hardship did not force the student to forfeit her hard-earned PG medical seat.
A Family Pushed to the Brink
Mamatha, daughter of Konka Ramachandram, a tailoring worker from Siddipet, completed her MBBS and secured a good rank in the medical PG entrance examination. She obtained admission at SVS Medical College in Mahabubnagar. However, the annual tuition fee of Rs. 7.50 lakh became an insurmountable burden for the family. With the payment deadline approaching, the threat of losing the seat loomed large.
Collateral Becomes a Barrier
Ramachandram approached banks seeking an education loan. However, officials insisted that the loan could be sanctioned only against mortgaged property. As the family owned no immovable assets, their efforts reached a dead end. Academic merit alone proved insufficient in the absence of financial security.
Harish Rao Steps in Decisively
With no options left, Ramachandram met Harish Rao and explained his situation. Without hesitation, the MLA decided that the student’s future should not be compromised. He pledged his own house in Siddipet as collateral and coordinated with Union Bank officials. The mortgage process was completed swiftly through the Sub Registrar’s office.
Timely Loan Approval Brings Relief
Following the mortgage, an education loan of nearly Rs. 20 lakh was sanctioned in Mamatha’s name. The amount enabled her to pay the required fee and retain her PG seat. The decision transformed despair into relief for the family, marking a turning point in the student’s academic journey.
Beyond Loans, Personal support
In addition to facilitating the bank loan, Harish Rao personally paid Rs. 1 lakh towards Mamatha’s first-year hostel expenses. He advised her not to burden herself with private debts and encouraged her to focus entirely on her studies. The assistance reflected a blend of administrative help and personal concern.
A Record of Social Commitment
Harish Rao has a history of similar interventions. Earlier, he had pledged his property to help auto workers in Siddipet access institutional credit, leading to the formation of a cooperative society that benefited hundreds of families. Such actions have strengthened his image as a leader closely connected with grassroots concerns.
Chandrababu on Harish Rao’s Model
Interestingly, Harish Rao’s style of leadership has drawn appreciation across party lines. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has reportedly cited Siddipet as a model constituency during party training programmes. He has urged legislators to emulate Harish Rao’s approach of staying constantly connected with people and safeguarding their interests, irrespective of political circumstances.
Education Before Politics
The episode underscores the fragile position of meritorious students from economically weak backgrounds. It also highlights how decisive leadership can prevent academic potential from being lost. In Siddipet, the act of pledging a house for a student’s education has emerged as a powerful symbol of governance driven by responsibility rather than position.
