Bhimavaran: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled the grand statue of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju in the Municipal Park at ASR Nagar in Bhimavaram as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. The 30 feet bronze statue weighing around 15 tonne was unveiled on his 125th birth anniversary.
“Andhra Pradesh is a land of bravery. The people from this state have made pioneering contributions to our freedom struggle”, tweeted PM Modi.
Carved at a cost of Rs. 3 Crores and installed by the Kshatriya Seva Samiti, the PM praised the legendary freedom fighter at the launch event. Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harishchandran, Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy, CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy along with film star K Chiranjeevi marked their gracious presence at the statue launch event.
Alluri’s nephew Alluri Srirama Raju and the son of his close lieutenant Mallu Dora were felicitated by the PM. Alluri Sitarama Raju was born on July 4 1897 in Pandrangi village of then Vishakhapatnam district. Alluri was deeply moved by the socio- economic situation of the tribal areas under British regime and he went on to form a potent force of local Adivasis in Vishakhapatnam and East Godavari regions to launch a frontal attack.