“Politics, like cricket, is an unpredictable game and one never knows how it may turn around at the last moment.” That’s the mantra this 34-year-old, who has thrown her hat in the electoral ring from the Vizag East Assembly constituency, lives by.
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| Esther Lepcha files MLA nomination for Vizag Andhra Pradesh |
It perhaps also explains why Esther Lepcha, who hails from the Himalayan Lepcha tribe of Darjeeling and represents the newly formed Indian Christian Secular Party (ICSP), is not bothered about winning or losing despite being pitted against biggies like sitting MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu of TDP, Prabha Goud of Congress, and Vamsi Krishna of YSRCP and is testing her fate in the City of Destiny. An MA in public administration from Andhra University, Esther considers herself a true blue Vizagite as she has been living here since she was barely a few months old. And when she starts speaking in chaste Telugu, even the slightest doubt over her ‘non-local’ tag is put to rest.
Brought up on inspirational stories about powerful women like Indira Gandhi and rooted in social service thanks to her father, who quit the Indian Navy to dedicate himself to serving the downtrodden by forming the Little Flock International Ministry and Welfare Society in Vizag, Esther says she decided to take the plunge to get a “larger platform” for the furtherance of community service.
“As a Christian, I believe in the principles of service to humanity irrespective of caste, creed and religion. I also want to change the general Indian Christian mindset that politics is dirty and one is better off staying away from it,” avers Esther, who hopes to not just garner votes from the educated classes looking for a healthy alternative in Vizag East, but also from those living in under-developed areas such as Arilova, Jalaripeta and Jodugudapalem, home to poor daily wagers and fisherfolk .
On her agenda is securing SC status for Dalit Christians, development of economically and socially backward general castes, pension for senior citizens, education for the needy and forming self-help groups.
“Job creation for the youth through industrial development, software companies and a sports academy will also be my focus,” she adds.
Isn’t she scared of losing? “What matters is making our presence felt by telling people that they have an option to vote for a party that won’t manipulate them, entice them with cash or make false promises,” she explains .
But why ICSP, which only has a presence in three southern states? “Don’t go by the name. Though called ISCP, anyone is free to join. It is all about safeguarding the interests of the socially and economically backward from all communities, empowering minorities, marginalised communities, backward classes and economically weaker sections while focusing on the universal values of love, peace, justice, equality, dignity and religious freedom.”
Source: timesofindia
