Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils Alluri statue

Bhimavaram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the government is making allout efforts to improve socio-economic conditions of tribals and declared that tribal regions are being developed as part of empowerment of marginalised sections in the backward areas. He was speaking at a mammoth meeting here after unveiling a 30 ft beonze statue of legendary freedom fighter Alluri Sitharama Raju on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary.

Governor Biswa Bhushan Harichandan, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, AP Tourism Minister RK Roja, Megastar Chiranjeevi and others were present. Earlier, Modi interacted with the family members of Alluri Sitharama Raju. He said that quality education is being provided for the tribals and they have already established 750 Ekalavya schools that are teaching in their dialect.

Amid thunderous applause he unveiled the statue of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju whom he described as Manyam Veerudu. The meeting was held as part of commemorating Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav to mark the 75th anniversary of Independence.

Modi started his speech in Telugu, paying tributes to Alluri, saying 'Manyam Veerudu, Telugu Jathi Yugapurushudu Alluri'. He said that Alluri Sitarama Raju is an inspiration to the whole country. He said that the 125th birth anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju along with 100 years of 'Rampa Kranti' will be celebrated throughout the year marking 75 years of Independence.

The Prime Minister said that Alluri Sitharama Raju is a symbol of bravery and courage of tribals, whose glorious life is an inspiration to all. He said that quality education is being provided for the tribals and established 750 Ekalavya schools that are teaching in the mother tongue. Also, he announced that Alluri Memorial Museum will be established in Lambasingi and said that Alluri Dhyana Mandir at Mogallu will also be developed.

A Tribal Research Institute will also be developed at Visakhapatnam. The Prime Minister said that youth will carry forward the spirit of Manyam Veerudu to shape a New India and expressed that more youth should participate in national development. He recalled that many freedom fighters like Pingali Venkaiah, Kanneganti Hanumantu, and great leaders like Potti Sriramulu and Kandukuri Veeresalingam hail from Andhra Pradesh.

After paying glorious tributes to Alluri Sitarama Raju, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy felicitated the Prime Minister with a shawl and presented him with a bow and arrow. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that freedom fighters aspired to build a society where there is no exploitation from one person to another, one country on another one, and stated that lakhs of fighters have laid their lives for the freedom of the country.

Reddy said that Alluri Sitarama Raju is one among such fighters, who was born in Andhra Pradesh and fought bravely against the foreign rule.

The Chief Minister said that a district in Andhra Pradesh has been named after Alluri Sitarama Raju during the reorganisation, and stated that a bronze statue is being unveiled in that district too marking his 125th birth anniversary.

He said that the nation will never forget a great man like him, who sacrificed his life at a young age, and stated that future generations shall cherish his fighting spirit.

He along with the Prime Minister felicitated Alluri Srirama Raju's close relatives and Bodi Dora, son of Alluri's close lieutenant Mallu Dora.