From Soil to Service

Born into a farmer’s family, V. Lachi Reddy’s early life was shaped by the land, the uncertainty of rains, fragile livelihoods, and the quiet resilience of farmers. These formative experiences instilled in him a deep understanding of grassroots realities and a conviction that true public service must begin at the ground level and touch every stage of life. This belief led him to join the Revenue Department, the only branch of governance that serves citizens from birth registration to land rights, welfare schemes, and dignity in death.

Lachi Reddy’s commitment to the public and farmers remained steadfast, but over time, he realized that an employee who understands the system from within can become its most effective reformer. He recognized that employee welfare and public welfare are not opposing forces but interlinked responsibilities. This understanding transformed him from a conscientious officer into a respected and influential employee leader.

His leadership extended beyond titles and positions. Driven by purpose rather than power, he established and strengthened numerous employee organizations while serving as Tahsildar and in higher roles. These included the Telangana Tahsildars Association, Deputy Collectors’ Association, Telangana Revenue Services Association, Contributory Pension Scheme Association, Association for Grama Palana Officers, Outsourcing Employees Association, and the Employees Joint Action Committee. Across these platforms, his philosophy remained consistent: empower employees to be informed, united, resilient, and self-reliant.

Beyond organizational leadership, he founded and sustained Revenue Masa Patrika, a magazine aimed at educating employees and the public on agriculture, land laws, revenue regulations, and welfare schemes. This initiative bridged the gap between policy and practice, making governance more accessible and understandable to the grassroots. Despite the enormous demands of these responsibilities, he dedicated his time, energy, and personal resources not for recognition, but out of a sincere commitment to the collective welfare of employees, farmers, and society.

One of the defining moments of his career came when he voluntarily resigned in protest during a confrontation with the government to uphold employee rights. Such moral courage, placing principle above position, is rare. Though the resignation was ultimately not accepted, and he returned after over four years, the episode highlighted his integrity, fearlessness, and unwavering dedication to the causes he believed in.

Even in engagements with the government, he leveraged his credibility to advance employee welfare. In recent meetings with senior officials, he advocated for critical reforms in employee health schemes and housing initiatives, both now under active consideration. His approach to leadership has always focused on creating more leaders rather than followers. He mentors and trains employee leaders to remain independent, legally informed, and capable of self-protection while ensuring the rights of others are upheld.

His involvement in reforms such as the Bhu Bharati Act demonstrates his role as a bridge between policy, employees, and public interests. He emphasizes knowledge, empowerment, and the importance of institutions, aligning with the philosophy of global labor leaders like Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor, who championed employee dignity, education, and sustainable welfare, and Jose Maria Arizmendiarrieta, who nurtured collective leadership and shared responsibility in Spain’s Mondragon Corporation. Like these leaders, Lachi Reddy prioritizes the long-term strength of institutions over short-term populism, empowering employees as stakeholders in governance.

At the national level, his qualities reflect the spirit of Indian labor reformers who believed that informed and strong institutions are the backbone of a just society. Rooted in agriculture, honed through administration, and strengthened by personal sacrifice, Lachi Reddy embodies a rare blend of public servant and people’s leader. His life demonstrates that governance is not simply about authority, but about empathy, ethical courage, and empowerment.

In an era where leadership is often measured by visibility, his impact is quiet yet profound. Firm yet compassionate, principled yet practical, he is not just a leader of employees but a builder of future leaders, a custodian of public trust, and a living example of service beyond self. His journey from the soil to service stands as a testament to the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership in building a fairer and stronger society.