Sri Potti Sreeramulu Statue of Sacrifice inauguration: A Historic Day for Telugu People – Inauguration followed by Private Dinner With Nara Lokesh’s Garu
📅 March 16, 2026 | Shakhamuru Park, Amaravati | 125th Birth Anniversary of Amarajeevi Potti Sreeramulu
March 16, 2026, will remain etched in my memory as one of the most significant days I have witnessed as a Founder Trustee of the Potti Sreeramulu Memorial Trust. On this day — the 125th birth anniversary of Amarajeevi Potti Sreeramulu Garu — the Statue of Sacrifice was unveiled in Amaravati by Chief Minister Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu, marking the culmination of a journey that began with a foundation stone and a dream.
But the story of this historic day is followed with a warm and intimate dinner hosted by the Honorable Minister Sri Nara Lokesh Garu for members of the Potti Sreeramulu Memorial Trust. Let me take you through both unforgettable moments.
Amarajeevi Potti Sreeramulu: Born on March 16, 1901 — A Life of Sacrifice
March 16 holds a special significance for Telugu people — it is the 125th birth anniversary of Amarajeevi Potti Sreeramulu Garu, born on March 16, 1901. A devoted freedom fighter and social activist, he gave his life in the ultimate act of nonviolent protest — a 58-day fast unto death demanding a separate state for Telugu-speaking people.
His martyrdom on December 15, 1952, moved the nation and led to the creation of Andhra State in 1953 — the first state in India formed on linguistic grounds. More significantly, his sacrifice inspired the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, which reorganized all of India’s states along linguistic lines. As Chief Minister Sri Chandrababu Naidu eloquently stated at the inauguration — while Mahatma Gandhi secured independence through nonviolence, Potti Sreeramulu achieved statehood through the ultimate act of self-sacrifice.
March 16, 2026: The Unveiling of the Statue of Sacrifice in Amaravati
The morning of March 16, 2026 was historic. At Shakhamuru Park in Amaravati, Chief Minister Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the 58-foot bronze Statue of Sacrifice — a towering tribute to Amarajeevi Potti Sreeramulu garu on his 125th birth anniversary. The ceremony drew thousands of people and was attended by an extraordinary gathering of dignitaries.
Distinguished Dignitaries at the Inauguration
- Chief Minister Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu — who unveiled the statue
- Deputy Chief Minister Sri Pawan Kalyan
- Union Minister Sri Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar
- Minister Sri Nara Lokesh
- Minister Sri Nadendla Manohar
- BJP State President Sri PVN Madhav
- Sri Doondi Rakesh garu — Chairman, Arya Vysya Corporation and Managing Trustee
- Family members of Potti Sreeramulu garu — felicitated by the CM and Deputy CM
The Statue of Sacrifice: An Engineering and Artistic Marvel
The Statue of Sacrifice is not just a memorial — it is a remarkable achievement of art and engineering. Here are the facts that make this statue truly extraordinary:
- Height: 58 feet — one foot representing each day of Potti Sreeramulu garu’s historic fast
- Width: 17 feet
- Material: 26 tonnes of bronze and 42 tonnes of iron framework
- Built in a record time of just 6 months
- Located at Shakhamuru Park, Amaravati — on 6.80 acres of land
- First phase cost: Rs 150 crore
- First major sculpture to be installed in Amaravati
A special postal cover was also released by India Post in honour of Potti Sreeramulu garu during the ceremony — a recognition of his national significance that goes beyond Andhra Pradesh.
Chief Minister’s Words: A True Tribute Lies in Andhra’s Development
Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Sri Chandrababu Naidu delivered a powerful and moving address. He noted that Potti Sreeramulu garu was not confined to one caste — he belonged to everyone and sacrificed his life to get recognition for the entire Telugu community. He emphasized that the real tribute to Amarajeevi lies in the comprehensive development of Andhra Pradesh in all sectors.
He also noted that this statue is the first major sculpture in Amaravati — making it doubly significant as both a tribute to a great man and a landmark moment in the development of the new capital city.
A Personal Reflection: From Foundation Stone to Statue of Sacrifice
As a Founder Trustee of the Potti Sreeramulu Memorial Trust, this day represented the culmination of a journey I have been proud to be part of — from attending the foundation stone ceremony laid by Sri Nara Lokesh garu on September 3, 2025, to personally inviting Chief Minister Sri Chandrababu Naidu and the Governor of Andhra Pradesh for the inauguration, to finally witnessing the Statue of Sacrifice stand tall in Amaravati.
Seeing the 58-foot statue standing tall at Shakhamuru Park — 26 tonnes of bronze, built in 6 months, completed in record time — I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Gratitude to everyone who made this possible: Managing Trustee Sri Doondi Rakesh garu, the craftsmen, the donors, the government, and above all, the spirit of Amarajeevi Potti Sreeramulu garu himself.
An Evening to Remember: Nara Lokesh’s Dinner for Trust Members
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHIN3X_G0oQ
On the eve of the historic statue inauguration, the Honorable Minister Sri Nara Lokesh garu graciously hosted an intimate dinner for members of the Potti Sreeramulu Memorial Trust. It was a deeply personal and meaningful gathering — an opportunity for the minister to connect with the Trust members who had worked tirelessly to bring the Statue of Sacrifice to life.
Sri Nara Lokesh garu has had a deep personal connection with this project from the very beginning. It was he who laid the foundation stone on September 3, 2025, declaring at the time that ‘this statue is not just a commitment — it is an emotion for me.’ Hosting the Trust members for dinner the night before the inauguration was a beautiful reflection of that personal commitment and warmth.
The evening was marked by warmth, shared memories, and a sense of collective pride in what had been accomplished together. For those of us who had been part of this journey — from the initial vision to the invitation to the Chief Minister and Governor — sitting together the night before the inauguration felt like a full-circle moment.