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Hyderabad, December 2023: Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hon’ble Vice-President of India, released a postal special cover to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of legal luminary late Justice Konda Madhav Reddy today at AV College, Gagan Mahal, Hyderabad. Late Justice Konda Madhav Reddy served as the Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai High Courts and Governor of Maharashtra.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar said, I deem it a matter of pride, privilege and pleasure for having been called upon to release a special Indian Postal Cover commemorating the 100th anniversary of the late Justice Konda Madhav Reddy, former Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh and Bombay High Courts and former Governor of Maharashtra. I congratulate the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, for their opportune initiative and as always, for ensuring the impeccable aesthetics in the design. It is commendable that the Department of Post has been a salient record-keeper of India’s inspirational and motivational legends and the present one is an instance. Today’s initiative is a befitting recognition and tribute to legendary late Justice Konda Madhav Reddy. I did not have the good fortune of having ever met or even seen the legendary figure late Justice Konda Madhav Reddy, but, I can claim to know of him well. Justice Reddy born on August 15, 1872, was a visionary who made lasting contributions to India’s justice and education system. Justice Reddy among his peers is remembered as a soft-spoken, thoughtful, contemplative, reasonable and fair with an innate sense of justice and thorough with facts and the law. He was ever open to the other point of view. The central message of late Justice Konda Madhav Reddy’s life was inclusive society. We must live by values and create values. He lived what he believed in and founded several educational, social and cultural organizations. He took inspiration from those who were before him and encouraged young lawyers to work to their full potential. He was a contributor to several important judgments that shaped Indian history and discourse. I resonate with Justice Reddy on a personal level not only because of his association with the judiciary but also as someone who did not forget his roots. A son of the soil, Justice Reddy remained a cultivator in his native village, Dharmasagar, until the end. As a Kisan putra myself, I am inspired by Justice Reddy’s efforts to alleviate rural struggles through his judgements. He gave a voice to those who were believed to be voiceless, he helped those who are the providers of Bharat. As Bharat approaches its centenary year, Bharat@2047, we must remember the ideals advocated and emphasized by Justice Reddy – service, justice and compassion, as these must form the bedrock of an inclusive society and a vibrant democracy. We are living in Amrit Kaal. The world is witnessing India’s progress across domains, the outcomes of which are impacting the lives of one-sixth of humanity! This is our Gaurav Kaal- for we are laying the firm foundations for a developed Bharat, to reclaim the glory that had made ours the leading nation for many centuries. It is soothing to note that all three organs – the Judiciary, the Executive and the Legislature are performing commendably and catalyzing the unprecedented rise of Bharat. Judicial Reforms: The legal landscape of Bharat has been undergoing great affirmative change in recent months, which will have tremendous positive impact on its progress, and on the welfare of one-sixth of humanity. During the past decade, significant strides have been made in the judicial system, emphasizing digitalization through the eCourts Project and the National Judicial Data Grid. These have not only enhanced transparency and accessibility, but have has resulted in reduction in pendency of cases. Major legal reforms included the establishment of Commercial Courts and amendments to arbitration laws, aiming at faster dispute resolution. Initiatives like National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has been taken to strengthen legal aid mechanisms for the underprivileged sections of society, ensuring access to justice for all. What is further noteworthy is that under the current Chief Justice of India, the Supreme Court has taken several critical steps including to bring justice to people in their own language. SC has gone paperless, and even the Courts (including advocates) are performing paperless. 99% of the District Courts are connected to the respective High Courts, and the High Courts are moving towards a paperless ecosystem. Achievements of Legislature:: Just a few days ago, the three new criminal code bills received the assent of the Hon’ble President of India. The new laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Act — have unshackled Indian Criminal Justice system from colonial legacy while keeping the focus on justice rather than punishment. It is a revolutionary change that the Bhartiya Dand Sanhita has now become the Nyaya Sanhita. The passing of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam by Parliament was another just landmark in our legal landscape. This law marks a long-overdue measure that will give women their rightful space in our democracy, and amplify the voice of one-half of our society. The Executives: The most transformative steps have been undertaken by the government through public participation, highlighting the strength of our democracy. From undertaking a nationwide “Swachha Bharat” campaign to bringing nearly a billion people online through a path-breaking digital public infrastructure push, the face of Bharat we are witnessing today is markedly different from what we have seen even a decade ago. In August 2023 India landed its Chandrayaan-3 unmanned probe near the south pole of the Moon, becoming the first and the only country in the world to achieve this feat! G20: Merely days later, we hosted the world’s leading economies at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi. PM Narendra Modi championed the African Union’s admission as a permanent G20 member, and amplified the voice of the Global South on the international platform as never before. As the G20 chair, India sought to offer the world an alternative to the status quo, a shift from a GDP-centric to human-centric progress. PM Narendra Modi reminded the world of what unites us, rather than what divides us. Inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive — these four words defined our approach as G20 president. Technology: The advent of disruptive technologies is posing new challenges as well as opportunities. India has already positioned itself as one of the few countries in the world that is charting its own course in terms of researching and harnessing such technologies. We have already directed our efforts on cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, 6G and Green Energy, so that Bharat@2047 is just not a vision but a reality that surpasses the world of our dreams! Today, the country has such an enabling ecosystem that allows each member of society to aspire for distinction, to unleash talent and follow and realise their dreams. By 2047, as we celebrate the centenary of our independence, I have no doubt that we will once again have institutions of the likes of Nalanda, Vikramshila, Takshashila that will be crucibles of invaluable thought and learning, not just for India, but for the world at large. Soft power of Bharat, in the form of its wealth of ayurvedic wisdom, its spirituality and its gift of yoga, already widely recognized across the globe, will become an ever-greater guiding force for mankind in the decades to come. It is indeed a momentous occasion that I get to honor another Kisan: a man who truly dedicated his life to the service of Bharat. A man who upheld the motto of the Supreme Court, यतो धर्म स्ततो जय: which means Where there is righteousness and moral duty, there is victory. I am sure that Justice Konda Madhava Reddy’s life and work will continue to guide and inspire the young minds of today in creating a better and stronger nation as we come together to mould the nation of our dreams at 2047. Thank you. Jai Hind.
Justice Konda Madhava Reddy as a father to us, he never told us what is right or wrong, he only showed it by the example he set. We know more about him through his peers, his juniors who interacted with him. One of the Supreme Court Judge who had close interaction with him said he demonstrated to exercise power without being influenced by them. He maintained his detachment to power but continued to help whoever approached him and he did this being humble and courteous, this is his extraordinary quality which elevated him above normal human standards. The JKMR Foundation is involved in various activities not just to keep his memory alive but to uphold the ideals and values he cherished. He comes from a rural background. Every day the JKMR volunteers go to 210 villages and clean the Government school toilets with pride and dignity. JKMR Foundation trained several youth, boys and girls, who became lifeguard and they earn a livelihood and respect of the villagers there, The JKMR Foundation youth who are trained in various skills have become technicians who help in the development activities in rural areas. This is the beginning of the Centenary celebrations and look forward to your continues support in the various activities that are planned for the year ahead. The postal special cover released in honour of Justice Konda Madhav Reddy, is a momentous occasion which captures the essence of his life and works and the values he stood for, says Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, Chairman, Justice Konda Madhav Reddy Foundation, Hyderabad.
The program was presided over by Dr. (Smt.) Tamilisai Soundararajan, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana and Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Puducherry. Shri Alok Aradhe, Hon’ble Chief Justice, Telangana; Shri PVS Reddy, Chief Postmaster General, Telangana, Hyderabad Circle; Dr. (Smt.) Sudesh Dhankhar; Shri V Rajagopal Reddy, Former Additional Solicitor General of India; Shri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, Chairman, JKMR Foundation; Justice B Sudershan Reddy, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India; Prof. Ramchandra Reddy, Former professor of Osmania University; Justice MSK Jaiswal, Justice Koshy; Justice Lakshman; Justice Jeevan Reddy; Justice Subash; Mr Prakash Reddy; Adv Dhananjay Reddy, JKMR Foundation; Dr Laxma Reddy; several other sitting and retired judges, members from legal fraternity, MPs, MLAs and other dignitaries will grace the occasion.
About Justice Konda Madhava Reddy (JKMR) Foundation
JKMR Foundation, a nonprofit public charitable organization; was instituted to commemorate the services rendered by Justice Konda Madhava Reddy on 5th February 1998. The Foundation is rendering yeoman services to the deprived sections of the society in the Ranga Reddy District of Telangana. The JKMR Foundation has been organising programs and projects to benefit the poor and deprived in the RR District of Telangana. The Foundation has been in the forefront in encouraging research work in medical, legal, agriculture, cultural activities and other fields, in the service of the people. It is proactively working towards protecting environment, communal harmony, national integration, upliftment of underprivileged women and handicapped persons and other related activities. It’s been promoting youth activities including sports, especially India’s national game hockey. JKMR Foundation is conducting regular healthcare camps with special thrust on the aged, physically challenged, children and women. It has been organising memorial lecturers by eminent speakers on current issues.
Some of the initiatives of JKMR Foundation are Rural Youth Training Programs; Health Camps, General Duty Assistant (Health) Training programs, Clean and Green programs, Justice Konda Madhava Reddy Memorial Lectures; Hockey and Cricket Tournaments.
