Chief Minister Naidu Inaugurates Monumental Statue of Freedom Fighter Potti Sriramulu in Amaravati
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated a towering 58-foot bronze statue of Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu at Shakamuru Park in Amaravati, commemorating the revered freedom fighter's 125th birth anniversary. The statue, named 'Statue of Sacrifice', was installed by the Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu Memorial Trust to honor his 58-day fast unto death, a pivotal act that led to the formation of a separate Andhra state.
Naidu's Call for Development as the Ultimate Tribute
During the inauguration ceremony, Naidu articulated that achieving comprehensive development across all sectors stands as the only true tribute to Potti Sriramulu's legacy. He urged the people of Andhra Pradesh to continuously draw inspiration from Sriramulu's sacrifices and actively work towards the state's progress and prosperity.
The chief minister described the statue as a "permanent reminder of Potti Sriramulu's sacrifice" and highlighted that it is the first major sculpture to be installed in Amaravati, the state's capital. Naidu emphasized that remembering such profound sacrifices and ensuring justice for all sections of society constitutes the real homage to the freedom fighter.
Details of the Monument and Memorial Park
The monumental statue has been constructed using 26 tonnes of bronze and 42 tonnes of iron structure, set up over a sprawling area of 6.8 acres. The first phase of the memorial park was completed within a span of six months. Plans for the second phase include the development of a museum, an auditorium, and skill development centers, further enhancing the site as a cultural and educational hub.
Reflecting on Sriramulu's Legacy and Telugu Journey
Naidu reflected on Potti Sriramulu's life, noting that he belonged to no single community but to all Telugu people. Sriramulu undertook numerous struggles, including agitations for Dalit temple entry and the movement for linguistic states. His ultimate sacrifice, fasting without water for 58 days, was instrumental in paving the way for the linguistic reorganization of states across India.
Tracing the historical journey of the Telugu people, Naidu recounted the formation of Andhra state with Kurnool as its capital, followed by Hyderabad as the capital of united Andhra Pradesh, and now Amaravati as the capital of the residuary state. He stressed that Amaravati is evolving as the people's capital and called for remembering the sacrifices of farmers who gave up their land for its development, paralleling Sriramulu's own sacrifice.
Event Attendees and Commemorative Activities
The inauguration event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, and several other ministers. As part of the commemorative activities, Naidu and Pawan Kalyan honored members of Potti Sriramulu's family. Additionally, a commemorative postal cover issued by the postal department was released during the ceremony, adding to the tributes paid to the freedom fighter's enduring legacy.
