Early Life & Education

Sri. Manthani Ganga Reddy was born on 29^th September 1928 in Nalloor, Nizamabad district to Sri M. Venkat Reddy and Smt. Radhamma. He was named after his grandfather. He has three brothers; older brother Manik Reddy (late) and younger brothers Mohan Reddy and M. Janardhan Reddy. His father was a lawyer practicing in Armoor when he along with his siblings lived with the extended family in Nalloor during his early years.

He did his schooling in Armoor and Nizamabad.  After passing his 10^th class in 1946 he joined Reddy College Hostel in Hyderabad. Here he gained popularity due to his friendly nature and impressive personality. He completed PUC Intermediate from Chadharghat college and B.A from Osmania University and embarked on his legal journey studying law at Osmania University Law College.

Legal Career

After practicing for 2 years in High Court in Hyderabad under Senior Appa Rao (1961 – 1963) he moved to Armoor and started his practice where his father, older brother and his close friend Mr. Limba Reddy were already practicing. He started his independent practice in Nizamabad later. Shortly he was appointed as the Public Prosecutor (PP) and also the Government Pleader (GP) at the young age of 32. He served as PP and GP for 3 consecutive terms and it was extended another 2 years. He is popularly known as PP Ganga Reddy throughout Andhra Pradesh.

 He had established himself as a legend within the Legal Community in Andhra Pradesh especially within the Telangana districts. There have been countless lawyers, judges, public prosecutors and magistrates who have reached their positions with his encouragement and guidance and under his tutelage. He was not only respected for his brilliance but also endeared himself to the entire legal fraternity alike through his kindness and compassion. 

Political Career

He entered politics as part of the nation wide protest against the imposition of emergency by joining Janata party. He was the president of the district Janata party (Nizamabad district) and contested as the Janata party candidate for the post of MP and later as MLA. Though he did not win he garnered a lot of support and respect and became the face of the resistance against emergency in Nizamabad. In the year 1981 he contested as an independent for the post of MLC and won against Mr. D. Srinivas who contested from the Congress party. In the year 1996 he was personally requested by Late. Mr. Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy (Ex. Chief Minister, AP) to contest on behalf of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha elections. Sri. M. Ganga Reddy while thanking him for the offer expressed his reluctance to contest. He stated the reasons to be his discomfort with the then deteriorated political scenario where the dignity and sanctity of political leaders had become increasingly difficult to maintain. He preferred to remain focused on his legal career.

He was well respected within the political sphere of the state and there was no politician within the Nizamabad district who did not seek his support and blessings when they were contesting. Several political personalities who became Prime Ministers of India namely Charan Singhji, Chandrasekharji and Atal Behaari Vajpayeeji were guests at his residence during their campaigns. He also hosted erstwhile President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy.

He is admired for his work ethics, dedication and sincerity. He attended court even when he was undergoing radiation for cancer when he was 85 years old and only stopped once it was no longer physically possible. He continued to provide counsel and advise through his final days.

Personal Life

Sri. M.Ganga Reddy was married to Smt. Arundhathi. They had three children Pushpa Marepally, sons Krupakar and Rajendar Manthani and three granddaughters, two grandsons and two great granddaughters.

He named his house ‘Arun villa’ after his wife. He was a fantastic conversationalist and notable for his good humor. Many loved him and he was affectionately called “Ganganna”. Being very social and a food enthusiast he loved entertaining and hosting dinners. Several dignitaries, high officials, politicians, film and sports personalities, family and friends enjoyed his hospitality. He also enjoyed poetry, literature, movies, music, tennis and hunting. He was a voracious reader and especially enjoyed world history. He was known to be well dressed and would often be seen in his signature white clothes and dark glasses.

His life was grandiose but he did not care for superficiality. He was a man of habits, of small daily rituals. He believed in hard work and discipline and made people feel valued and important.

 Contribution to sports

He was known as the ‘Bhishma Pitha Maha’ of Sports in Nizamabad. In the late 70s and early 80s he was instrumental in conducting Ranjhi Trophy matches in Nizamabad so that cricket enthusiasts within the district got to witness the legends of cricket in action. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, ML Jaisimha, Jayanthi Lal, Gundappa Vishwanath, Sunil Gavaskar, Krishnamachari Srikanth, Mohammad Azharuddin, Roger Binny, Sayed Kirmani, Shivlal Yadav, Brijesh Patel, Sadanand Vishwanath had played in the district in various matches over time. He was president of Olympic Association of Nizamabad and also the Football and Hockey association.

Philanthropy & Legacy

Sri. M. Ganga Reddy has been hailed by many for his philanthropic nature and has left a legacy of greatness and humanity in his wake.

 As an advocate he helped people who could not afford to pay him and waived the fees for several with financial constraints. He used his standing in the society to make a difference and help others when they approached him. Though he enjoyed a lavish lifestyle he was essentially down to earth widely respected across the state and appreciated for his humility.

He started numerous institutions and organizations to benefit the community of Nizamabad. In 1965 he was one of the founding members of the women’s education society that aimed to improve women’s conditions through education and enlightenment. He also founded the Indur school for children. He was responsible for encouraging sports by setting up the Olympic Society and heading the cricket, football and hockey organizations. Through Lions Club he along with his peers organized many cultural activities by prominent classical dancers like Hema Malini, Sulochana, Padmini-Ragini sisters and actress Manjula and thus raised funds to be used for the needy. He also served as an advisor to temples and charitable institutions in Nizamabad.

During the last few days of his life when he was in the hospital he was approached to contribute to the ‘Nirbhaya fund’ to which he generously donated without hesitation.

He lived with dignity till his final breath and will be cherished forever.

Article in The Hindu 
Veteran lawyer Ganga Reddy dies aged 87 in Nizamabad

Veteran lawyer and former MLC M. Ganga Reddy died after brief illness at his residence in Nizamabad early on Friday. He was 87. He is survived by two sons. Courts in the district declared a holiday after expressing condolence to his demise.

Coming from a family of lawyers Mr. Ganga Reddy served the bar for more than 60 years. He was the member of AP Legislative Council in the early 1980s and unsuccessfully contested from the Nizamabad Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies on a Janata Party ticket. He had come to be known as PP Ganga Reddy as he served as public prosecutor and government pleader for a long time.

Former President of India Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, former Prime Ministers Charan Singh, Chandrashekar and Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to stay at his home in Nizamabad during their visits to the district. He was also the president the district Olympic association. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that almost half the bar members in the district worked as his juniors.

The Bar Association of Nizamabad, judicial officers and people from all walks of life paid tributes to him. The funeral will be held on Saturday.