Early Career and Politics
He started his career as a contractor, becoming one of Varanasi's renowned builders. His initial work included government funded roads, bridges etc. but later on he moved towards construction of residential buildings/apartments. His first project in Varanasi was the "Kashiraj Apartments". Later on he completed several other major projects, becoming the pioneer in the field. During that phase, he was accompanied by Mr. K.B Khare and Mr. K. Kapoor (other two renowned builders of Varanasi).
After several ventures, Mr. Rai finally decided to do something that he pined. He kept his aspirations of becoming a politician (doing something for his people) alive and represented Mohammadabad in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, becoming a key member of the Purvanchal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Early course of his political career was strewn with hardship. People of the region had apprehensions about an outsider, staying in Varanasi, contesting from their constituency. Mr. Rai was fully aware of the concerns and even considered them legitimate given the fact that people in the area were still haunted by lingering dejection. The social and political climate of the region wasn't favorable enough to instill any confidence in people's life as their way of living and earning remained limited and somewhat dicey. Agriculture was sole means of earning for many. People had to put in extra efforts in order to reap in the benefits of outside world which was much brighter. The least that they expected from their leader was constant support in their socioeconomic structure. They wanted their leader to solve issues caused by red-tape and be with them as a constant guiding force to overcome some of the family and society related issues. Mr. Rai had to put in extra effort to win people's confidence. He toured almost each village and every house to talk to people. He knew, he wouldn't be able to change the world for them in year or two but was more than willing to stand by them. He was aware of the limited resources and the dwindling employment graph of the region but with all these issues in mind he decided to tell people how important it was to realize that any change would require people's will. Society or Nation develops when people work not when policies are made.
He strongly represented the Hindu sentiment and culture. The fact that he belonged to one of the powerful Bhumihar Brahmin castes, increased his influence in politics. His stature and charisma soon gathered respect and admiration from both his party and people of eastern Uttar Pradesh. He entered politics by contesting and winning Mohammadabad Assembly seat in the 2002 elections against Afzal Ansari. He discovered politics to be a way to reward people and was fully aware of the incentive and coercive powers which came along. He was there to listen to people's problem. A good and honest leader, missed by many.
Read more about this topic: Krishnanand Rai
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