Chapter 1: When Rama met Rama

It was the day that marked the beginning of an era in Kadapa and the one that I for one would cherish forever in my life. Those moments are still vivid in my memories. It was around 8:30 am As ACUT (Assistant Collector under training) Kadapa, I was waiting, along with the Joint Collector-Development, Saikanth Varma Sir, at the Kadapa border with a money plant to receive the new Collector Sir posted to our district.

It was time for Sir's arrival. An Innova car pulled up near us and a window shield dropped down gently. I saw Collector Sir, greeted him, and then introduced myself. Unexpectedly Collector Sir asked both of us to board the car. This journey marked the beginning of a culture in Kadapa, where IAS officers, regardless of their individual position, travel together in a single car. Since it was my first such journey, I was uncomfortable. Such journeys, however, became common thereafter, helping me come out of my shell.

Out of the blue, Collector Sir said he would take the blessings of Lord Rama in Vontimitta temple before assuming charge. Although I had planned a couple of times to visit Ekasilanagaram i.e., Vontimitta temple, I could not make it for

tous reasons. Anyway, finally I was glad that I could have VIP darshan, along with Collector Vijay Rama Raju v Sir, Joint Collector-Development CM Saikanth Varma Sir, Joint............