A Collector, who leads by example

Bhupalpally: This Collector has no inhibitions. Jayashankar-Bhupalpally District Collector A Murali is a real down to earth straight talking official. He really means business. From the day-one he assumed office, Murali went on a two-day tour of tribal hamlets in Mangapet, Tadvai and Eturnagaram mandals and stayed overnight at a hamlet. He roams around freely on his bike in nights in the predominantly tribal district bordering the strife-torn Chhattisgarh. No protocol, no security cover, he ditches them and all that he wants is to learn the problems of the people.

Proving that he relies more in deeds than words, Murali got his pregnant daughter admitted deliberately in Mulug government hospital for delivery. This despite the fact that he can afford to take his daughter to a corporate hospital, the Collector chose to set an example by leading from the front. The Collector said that he wanted to create a sense of confidence among the people that State-run hospitals are well-equipped and competent.

On Wednesday, he proved that he is kind-hearted as well when he saw a 10-year-old shepherd boy near Rampur under Bhupalpally mandal on his way to Medaram, where he was to review the progress of the Sammakka Saralamma jatara arrangements.

He got off his car and spoke to the boy, whose name is Mahesh. The boy belongs to Marikel village of Mahabubnagar district and has been reportedly employed by a local person. The Collector, who directed the child development project officer Omkar to take care of the boy, said: “Engaging child labour is an offence. The onus is on every one to ensure education facility to all the children.” The authorities, who lodged the boy at Bala Sadanam in Warangal on Wednesday, summoned his parents, who live in Mahabubnagar district.