In a remarkable show of grassroots commitment, a Telugu NRI working in the United States has resigned from his job to contest the upcoming Telangana local body elections. Kanjarla Chandrashekar, originally from Chinnashankarampet in Medak district, says his motivation comes from a deep desire to contribute to his village’s development and a wish to continue his family’s legacy of community service.
Speaking in an interview with Big TV, Chandrashekar described how his grandfather’s long-standing service to the village had a strong influence on him. Although he lived a settled professional life in the US, he said he felt continually drawn toward the idea of returning home and taking up responsibility at the local level. When asked whether he felt confident about his bold decision to quit a stable job abroad, Chandrashekar replied without hesitation that he was fully satisfied and ready to dedicate himself to public service.
His story mirrors that of another government official from Telangana who has stepped away from a long career to contest the polls. SI Puli Venkateshwarlu, a sub-inspector with four decades of service and recently promoted, has taken voluntary retirement to contest from his native village of Gudibanda in Kodad Mandal. For him too, contesting for the sarpanch post represents a transition from law enforcement to community leadership.
- Local body elections in Telangana this year will be held in three phases — on December 11, 14, and 17 — and have attracted a diverse set of candidates, including government officials, overseas professionals, and young first-time contestants
- Political observers note that a growing number of NRIs are taking interest in rural administration, particularly in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where many non-resident families maintain strong roots
For villagers, the entry of NRIs and experienced officers offers both hope and scrutiny. Aspirants like Chandrashekar are often seen as bringing new ideas, global exposure, and development-driven agendas. At the same time, they must prove their understanding of local issues, ranging from infrastructure and water supply to agriculture and youth employment.
Chandrashekar believes returning home was the right choice. For him, public service is not a break from professional life abroad but a continuation of his commitment to community upliftment. With polling approaching, his candidacy has sparked conversations about the evolving nature of rural leadership and the willingness of young professionals to return to their roots to drive change.
