Enuga Sreenivasulu Reddy

Enuga Sreenivasulu Reddy, also known as E. S. Reddy (1 July 1924 – 1 November 2020), was an Indian-born diplomat at the United Nations who led the anti-apartheid efforts at the UN's Special Committee Against Apartheid (where he was the secretary from 1963 to 1965) and its Centre Against Apartheid (where he was the director from 1976 to 1983). He also served as director of the UN Trust Fund for South Africa and the Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa. During his time in these roles, he campaigned for economic boycott of the then Government of South Africa, advancing anti-apartheid actions including a combination of economic and social measures. He also lobbied for the release of the imprisoned leader Nelson Mandela.

He was a recipient of the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honor, in 2000, and the Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo from the Government of South Africa in 2013.

Early life Reddy was born on 1 July 1924 in Pallapatti, in southern India. His father, E. V. Narasa Reddy, was a mining company executive and Indian freedom fighter. He was noted to have participated in campaigns along with Indian anti-colonial nationalist, Mahatma Gandhi, for betterment of treatment meted out to Harijans, considered untouchables in India until then. His father was jailed for participating in Gandhi's protests, while his mother used money from selling her jewelry to support Gandhi's campaigns. His interest in the South African struggle was sparked by a chance encounter with the then president of the African National Congress, A. B. Xuma, who had come to New York to lobby for the movement at the United Nations.

He led the United Nations' efforts against apartheid between 1963 and 1984, in his role as a principal secretary within the Special Committee Against Apartheid, and later as a director at the Center Against Apartheid. He lobbied for the release of the imprisoned leader Nelson Mandela. Principal Secretary, United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid, 1963–1967. Chief of Section for African Questions, 1967–1975. Director, United Nations Centre against Apartheid, 1976–1984. Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, 1983–1985. Senior fellow, United Nations Institute for Training and Research, 1985–1993. Member, Council of Trustees of the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa, 1986–1992.

Post-1985 After his retirement in 1985, he wrote about the early history of the anti-apartheid movements, black liberation, and the linkages between Indian and South African social justice movements. and America. He helped find letters from Gandhi to anti-apartheid activists and leaders of the South African Indian community, Yusuf Dadoo and Monty Naicker, which helped further identify links between social justice movements in both countries. He was awarded the Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo by the Government of South Africa in 2013. Indian historian, Ramachandra Guha, dedicated his book Gandhi Before India to Reddy, and noted of him in his dedication, "Indian patriot, South African democrat, friend and mentor to Gandhian scholars of all nationalities."

Personal life Reddy was married to Nilufer Mizanoglu, a writer and translator of Turkish literature. They had two daughters, Mina Reddy and Leyla Tegmo-Reddy.

Books

Reddy, E. S., ed.(2006): Friends of Gandhi: Correspondence of Mahatma Gandhi with Esther Faering (Menon), Anne Marie Petersen and Ellen Hørup, by Mahatma Gandhi, Ellen Hørup, Esther Faering Menon, and Anne Marie Petersen, also ed. by Holger Terp. National Gandhi Museum.