PM Launches Alluri 125th Birth Anniversary Celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the year-long 125th birth anniversary celebrations of legendary freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju in Bhimavaram on Monday.

Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and union minister G Kishan Reddy were among those present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that he was feeling privileged at getting an opportunity to salute the great land of Andhra Pradesh with its rich legacy.

Modi then bowed to the memory of the great "Manyam Veerudu" Alluri Sitarama Raju, and paid rich tributes to him on behalf of the entire country.

He also expressed happiness at meeting the members of the family of the freedom fighter.

The PM also paid tributes to the "Adivasi Parampara" and the freedom fighters that emerged from that tradition in Andhra Pradesh.

Modi also noted the confluence of major events like Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the 125th birth anniversary of Sitarama Raju, and 100 years of the Rampa Rebellion.

Restoration of Sitarama Raju's birthplace at Pandrangi, renovation of the Chintapalli police station, and construction of an Alluri Dhyana Mandir at Mogallu, were symbols of the spirit of Amrit Mahotsav, he said.

He also expressed happiness that the 125th birth anniversary of Sitarama Raju and the 100th anniversary of the Rampa Kranti would be celebrated throughout the year.

The Prime Minister also profusely praised Andhra Pradesh as a land of heroes and patriots.

"Here there were freedom heroes like Pingali Venkayya, who prepared the flag of the country. This is the land of heroes like Kaneganti Hanumanthu, Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu and Potti Sriramulu. And today it is the responsibility of all of us countrymen to fulfill the dreams of these fighters in Amrit Kaal. Our new India should be the India of their dreams. An India in which the poor, farmers, labourers, backward classes and tribals all have equal opportunities," the PM said.

He added that during the last eight years, the union government had worked relentlessly for the welfare of the tribal community of the country.