Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu garlanded the statue of "Andhra Kesari" Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu at Ravindra Bharathi, marking his birthday anniversary, on Saturday.
Speaking at the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said that the AP State government would propose to the Centre to name the Rajahmundry Airport after the Telugu luminary.
The AP government declared 23rd August, the birth anniversary of Prakasam Pantulu, as a State festival, and celebrated it across the State with much cheer and enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Advisor (Communications), government of Andhra Pradesh, Parakala Prabhakar, and minister Siddha Raghava Rao addressed a gathering in Andhra Kesari's birthplace (in Prakasam district), and spoke about Prakasam Pantulu's selfless struggle for justice.
The Advisor also addressed a gathering in Ongole, and garlanded a statue of Prakasam Pantulu.
Popularly known as Andhra Kesari, Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu was one of the top leaders of the Indian freedom struggle.
Through his courage and sacrifice, he won widespread admiration.
The people of Andhra Pradesh in particular derived inspiration from his achievements as a fighter, editor and political leader.
Prakasam Pantulu was the first Chief Minister of the erstwhile Andhra State. He was born in 1872 at a village called Kanuparthi (then in Guntur district). (INN)