Medak: Nostalgia for 'Indiramma' among tribals, development concerns linger despite limelight

From marigold flowers, brass matka 'gift' to the six-point development policy, tribals in Medak parliamentary constituency in Telangana fondly remember all they received from former prime minister Indira Gandhi who had won from here in 1980.

Thirty nine years after her win, elders in this constituency recount Gandhi's election rallies with awe, while some believe 'Indiramma' is still "blessing people here from heaven".

"Abhi bhi apna dil Indira ko. Khitna sona de, phir bhi dil aur vote Indira ko (Now also, my heart is for Indira. You may give gold, but my heart and vote is for Indira)," says 90-year old Rupla Pathloth, a Lambani tribal farmer from Fareedpur village, when asked about the current elections.

Pathloth, who owns two acres of farm land, received a brass water matka (pitcher) from Gandhi in the 1980 parliamentary elections when she defeated S Jaipal Reddy of the Janata Party with over two lakh votes.

"Each Lambani tanda had got 10 brass water matka. I too had received one and kept it safely," he said.

Recalling Gandhi's election speech, Pathloth said, "She had promised to give us better life and she delivered that promise. Maximum benefits were received during her time."
Bhuli Jambla, an 85 year-old Lambani tribal woman, hardly remembers what Gandhi had spoken during an election rally then. But she adds, "I admired her (Gandhi) . She gave life to our community. I remember, she threw marigold flowers from the stage, I had got one."
Recalling how his father benefited after nationalisation of banks during Indira Gandhi's rule, farmer Banoth Madhu said, "Tribals were not getting bank loans then and faced problems. When banks were nationalised, my father was able to get a loan amount of Rs 5,000."
Many people in Medak also remember Gandhi visiting famous church 'Diocese of Medak of the Church of South India' in 1984. In the visitors' book she had written, "Prime Minister of India visited the cathedral and took blessings on July 19, 1984 at 2pm."