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Ashok’s simplicity makes him stand out
Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju belongs to a royal family of Pusapatis in Vizianagaram estate, who attracted the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his simplicity and genuineness as Union civil aviation minister, stepped down from his post as per the decision taken by the TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu.
Vizianagaram: Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju belongs to a royal family of Pusapatis in Vizianagaram estate, who attracted the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his simplicity and genuineness as Union civil aviation minister, stepped down from his post as per the decision taken by the TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu.
Forefathers of Ashok Gajapathi Raju used to maintain their own aircraft during 1900s and interestingly he became the minister of that ministry in 2014. Though he held post of Union Cabinet minister, who can enjoy special privilege, he never availed them.
He likes to be a common man and stands in a queue line to collect his boarding pass at airport counter. Apart from this his contribution to aviation industry is recognised by the Prime Minister and he was applauded by Modi too.
After Independence, India is operating only 70 airports in the past 70 years but after Ashok Gajapathi Raju assuming office as civil aviation minister, he worked with extreme commitment and opened 70 small new airports all over India.
Rajamahendravaram and Kadapa are some of the new airports which were opened in his regime under Udan scheme. He even started around 500 new routes in aviation sector. Prestigious Bhogapuram airport in Vizianagaram district was also initiated by Gajapathi Raju.
Even his ‘Chitti Guruvulu’ concept of children making their parents literate, which was undertaken in Dwarapudi of this district was mentioned in his 'Mann Ki Baat’.
Raju spent every penny of his MPLADS funds to provide infrastructure at schools and he displayed the expenditure details at his residence. He is in the good books of Modi for his spotless political career and for his untiring efforts to improve aviation industry.
He brought funds and four-lane road projects to Vizianagaram district and even directed the authorities to demolish every building, during road widening and instructed not to spare anybody. Now, the town has wide roads and greenery around fort.
He never recommends district officials regarding postings and contracts. Even he feels more comfortable to travel by his own Nano car than luxury cars and within a short time, he got name and fame all over India but due to political reasons he is forced to step down.
By Koppara Gandhi
