Amshala Swamy, face of Nalgonda fluorosis scourge, dies
Swamy had a fall from his battery-operated wheelchair while climbing the ramp of his double bedroom house on Friday evening. Though he appeared to be normal, he vomited blood on Saturday morning and died a few hours later.
Nalgonda: Amshala Swamy, 37, who was the face of the Nalgonda fluorosis crisis, passed away at his residence at Shivannagudem of Marriguda mandal in the district on Saturday morning.
Swamy had a fall from his battery-operated wheelchair while going to his double bedroom house from his salon shop on Friday evening. Though he appeared to be normal after the fall, he vomited blood on Saturday morning and died a few hours later.
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Swamy was a part of the long drawn protest by the Jala Sadhana Samithi and became known across the country in 2002 after a photograph of him on a table in front of the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whom the agitators met to highlight the severity of the issue, was published in the media. He was also part of several delegations of fluorosis victims who met several Chief Ministers to submit representations for a solution to the issue.
He was also in the news recently when Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development K T Rama Rao sanctioned him a double bedroom house and funds for setting up a salon for his livelihood. The Minister had also visited his double bedroom house and had lunch with him during his visit to Munugode for the by-elections in November last year.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, in a condolence message, said Amshala Swamy had fought for the eradication of fluorosis throughout his life. Recalling that Swamy was synonymous with the fight against fluorosis, which emerged as a major social menace in Telangana in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister said Swamy’s struggle with a humane approach was an inspiration to many during the Telangana struggle.
Fluorosis victims like Swamy were the inspiration behind the State government’s strong resolve to provide fluoride-free purified drinking water through the Mission Bhagiratha scheme, he said, expressing his condolences to the bereaved family.
Minister Rama Rao said Swamy was a fighter who championed the cause of fluorosis victims.
”My heartfelt condolences to the family of Sri Amshala Swamy Garu who passed away today. He was a fighter who championed the cause of Fluorosis victims & an inspiration to many. He will always remain close to my heart. May his soul rest in peace,” Rama Rao tweeted.
My Heartfelt condolences to the family of Sri Amshala Swamy Garu who passed away today
He was a fighter who championed the cause of Fluorosis victims & an inspiration to many. He will always remain close to my heart
May his soul rest in peace 🙏 pic.twitter.com/wCv5DHWeGg
— KTR (@KTRBRS) January 28, 2023
Health Minister T Harish Rao, who expressed his deepest sympathies to Swamy’s family, Telangana Legislative Council chairman Gutha Sikender Reddy, Energy Minister G Jagadish Reddy and several MLAs also condoled the death of Swamy, whose funeral was conducted later in the day.
