■ The CM said that efforts would be made to complete the construction of the statue by next Jayanti

■ A memorial will also be set up for Potti Sriramulu in Amaravati and similarly his residence in Paschimatipalli village in Nellore district will be converted into a museum and a health centre

■ 12 programmes would be organised throughout the year from March 16 till the 126th birth anniversary of Sriramulu to honour his struggles and legacy

metro india news  I amaravati

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday announced that a 58-feet tall statue of Potti Sriramulu, who sacrificed his life after a 58-day-long hunger strike for the formation of Andhra state, will be installed in the Capital Amaravati capital. He participated in the birth anniversary celebrations of Potti Sriramulu held at his Undavalli residence.

Floral tributes were paid to his statue. The CM said that efforts would be made to complete the construction of the statue by next Jayanti. The Chief Minister also assured that a memorial will also be set up for Potti Sriramulu in Amaravati and similarly his residence in Paschimatipalli village in Nellore district will be converted into a museum and a health centre and high school building will be constructed in the village.

Potti Sriramulu’s sacrifice was the beginning of the formation of linguistic states

 “It was the result of his sacrifice that led to the creation of linguistic provinces. He fought for a separate state for Telugu language speakers in Madras Presidency and sacrificed his life. People did not come forward much during his fight. Even the Centre did not come down initially. However, he fasted for 58 days and sacrificed his life on December 15, 1952.

After the death of Potti Sriramulu, on December 19, 1952, Nehru announced in Parliament that a separate state would be given. On March 25, 1953, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru announced the formation of Andhra state which came into being  on October 1 1953. That is why we have celebrated his sacrifice day on December 15 in a grand manner," the CM said recalling the sequence of events.

 The Chief Minister also said that starting from now 12 programmes will be launched at the rate of one per month, till March 16th next year when the 125th birth anniversary of Potti Sriramulu would be celebrated on a big scale.” We are implementing the P4 system from this Ugadi. If it succeeds, there will be stability in the society. We are all born equal. But some people take advantage of opportunities and go to unexpected levels while others remain at same place.