At the end of an hour-long interaction with B. Kalpana Reddy, it felt like there was a lot more to her. That’s because Kalpana is always thinking… about the future, which includes her own, that of her two very “bright children” and also kids abandoned on the streets, people suffering in marriages, of the education system, morality in Indian society and more.
And it’s not that Kalpana has all the time in the world to think. She is a hands-on mother, bringing up the kids while her businessman husband is away in South Africa, working. Meanwhile, she runs two NGOs and a ‘land-trading’ business (which funds her social work and is a ‘trusted investment’).
But most recently, the 33-year-old became the spokesperson for the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee after a stint as the chairman of the state’s Women and Child’s Welfare department.
“I started taking a lot of responsibilities very early in life. So multi-tasking has become my second nature. I have learnt to manage,” says Kalpana, adding, “I stood for elections at the age of 19 for the seat of a corporator at Malakpet. I was already married (to Babu Reddy at 17) and I was studying in degree college. Also, I had no idea of politics. I stood for elections because the local MLA and our family friend, Sudhir Kumar, wanted me to. That seat was reserved for women and he had faith in me. My in-laws and husband were not supportive, but they were convinced later.”
She went on to win and sincerely discharged her duties while studying, raising her kids, running Asra – her NGO for street children – and a family counselling centre called Kalpana Foundation.
Meanwhile, she enrolled for an MA course in Political Science. “I realised Indian politics needed educated people. It was treated like a property by politicians where members of their families could come and claim stake. I believe only people’s representatives should be part of politics,” says Kalpana, who was also Parliament constituency in-charge of Secunderabad in 2004 and 2008.
So, how does Kalpana see her new job, which has come ahead of the 2014 elections and in the midst of the Telangana turmoil? “Anything that I utter will be picked up by media. So, I have to be careful and speak hallu hallu,” says Kalpana, who is not very conversant in English, a fact that doesn’t bother her much. “It’s not a big deal. It does not affect my job. I know Telugu and Hindi and I am learning English,” she says.
But when does she find time for her family? “My children are my best friends. I have to find time for them. So, I start my day at 5 am. I find time for myself only at night when I read spiritual books.”
And Kalpana’s kids seem to be following in her footsteps. Because at 15, daughter Rishika is already pursuing her MBBS and at 13, genius son Riqueeth is about to finish school.
“It’s not about their age. They are just bright kids. Likewise, I am a spokesperson at 33. This post is usually given to people who are 40 or 50 years old. I got this chance because of my sincerity and honesty, I guess,” says Kalpana.
