J. Geeta Reddy
Quick Facts
Biography
Dr. Jetti Geeta Reddy (born 1947) is an Indian politician belonging to the Indian National Congress party. She was a Minister in Kiran Kumar Reddy's cabinet. She was the only minister in AP Government who was brought into politics by Rajiv Gandhi. She represents Zaheerabad constituency in Medak district. She was also Leader of the Legislative Assembly in K. Rosaiah Government, the first Dalit woman.
Early life
Born in Hyderabad to Eashwari Bai, a former M.L.A and President Of Republican Party of India. She did her medicine from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad and Member Of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London.
Career
Reddy worked as a gynecologist. She lived in Australia from 1971 to 1977, in London from 1977 to 1980 and in Saudi Arabia from 1980 to 1982. She returned to India in 1982.
Political career
Reddy was brought into Congress party in 1985 by former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. She and her husband had established excellent medical practice in Saudi Arabia, then Prime Minister of India, late Rajiv Gandhi visited Saudi Arabi and asked the couple to serve mother India. With the call of Rajiv Gandhi the couple came to India, her husband, Dr. Ramachandra Reddy continued his career in medical profession but she has chosen to work in public life with the encouragement of Rajiv Gandhi. She contested in 1989, and was elected as M.L.A. from Gajwel, Medak District. She represented Gajwel constituency in 1989, and 2004 before shifting to Zaheerabad constituency in 2009 general elections.
She was a Minister in the Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy , Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy and twice in Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy Cabinet. She represents Zaheerabad Assembly constituency in Medak district and was a Leader of the Assembly in the Rosaiah’s Cabinet.
Portfolios held
- 1989-1994: Minister for Tourism, Culture, Social Welfare, Sports, Secondary Education and Protocol.
- 1995-1998: General Secretary, Pradesh Congress Committee Under P.C.C. President Sri K. Rosaiah.
- 1998-2000: Executive Member of P.C.C.
- 2000-2004: President, A.P. Mahila Congress Committee.
- 2004-2009: Minister for Tourism, Sugar & Major Industries commerce and Export promotion.
- 2009–2010: Minister for Information and Public relations, Tourism, Culture, FDC, Archaeology, Museums & Archives, Cinematography.
- 2010–2014: Minister for Major Industries, Sugar, Commerce and Export promotion
Personal life
J. Geeta Reddy is married to a Dr. Ramachandra Reddy who is from Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, from whom she got the Reddy last name. Her husband owns Geetha Multi Speciality Hospital Secunderabad, Eashwari Bai Memorial Center Hospital, Eashwari Bai School Of Nursing and Eashwari Bai College Of Nursing.
Geeta Reddy has a daughter, Meghana Reddy.
Institutions
- Geeta Multi speciality Hospital, West Marredpally, Secunderabad.
- Eashwari Bai Medical Center, Chilkalguda, Secunderabad.
- Eashwari Bai Memorial College of Nursing, Secunderabad.
- Eashwari Bai School of Nursing, Secunderabad.
Sports
- President of A.P.WOMEN'S CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Social service
- Vice President Indian Red Cross Society. A.P.
Branch, Life Trustee, Indian Council of Child Welfare.( Smt. Sonia Gandhi is Chairperson)
- Chairperson, Eashwari Bai Memorial Trust.
- Former member of Central Social Welfare Board.
- Former Senate member of Osmania University.
Awards received
- Awarded Mahila Shiromani by Vimala Sharma W/o Former President of India,
- Unity award for National Integration Forum
- Indira Gandhi Sadbhavana Award 2008
- Millennium Star Award 2008
- ASSOCHAM Ladies League, Hyderabad Women of the Decade Achievers Award for Excellence in Public Administration