Visakhapatnam :
For the first time, the 117th birth anniversary celebrations of freedom fighter and ‘Manyam Veerudu’ Alluri Sita Rama Raju was celebrated as a state function with full honours at his native Pandrangi village in Padmanabham mandal of the district here Friday wherein human resource development minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Visakhapatnam MP Kambampati Hari Babu participated.
Ganta Srinivasa Rao told the youngsters to take inspiration from Alluri’s life, who fought for the nation and sacrificed his life in the freedom movement.
He promised to develop Pandrangi village and establish a museum dedicated to Sitaramaraju and his achievements in the area.
A park, an arch and a statue with `25 lakh besides a bridge will be constructed in the village shortly, he added.
He also insisted that people should celebrate Alluri’s birth anniversary every year and informed that the government would soon introduce his life story in the school syllabus.
District collector Solomon Arokiaraj, joint collector Pravin Kumar and revenue divisional officer Venkata Murali were present.
Meanwhile, Alluri’s birth anniversary was also celebrated by various organisations across the district with much pomp and show.
RINLexecutive director (works) incharge DN Rao paid tributes to the revolutionary by garlanding his statue at Ukkunagaram.
He recalled the sacrifices of Sitarama Raju to protect the tribal rights in the agency areas and his crusade against the British rule.
BJP leaders PV Narayana Rao and Appalakonda remembered the yeoman service rendered by Alluri at a gathering.
Alluri’s birth anniversary was also celebrated at Mrs AVN School, where he had pursued his primary education.
The school authorities paid homage to the freedom fighter and felt privileged to have been serving the school where Alluri had studied. College vice-principal JB Raju and staff were present.
Andhra University officials paid rich tributes to Alluri wherein vice-chancellor GSN Raju, rector EA Narayana, registrar K Rama Mohana Rao and professors took part.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 05th, 2014