I was honored to participate in the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Sri Potti Sriramulu Memorial at Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, alongside IT & Education Minister Sri Nara Lokesh Garu. The memorial will feature a 58-foot bronze statue of Sri Potti Sriramulu Garu, a fitting tribute to his unparalleled sacrifice. The Andhra Pradesh government has allocated 6.8 acres of land between Thullur and Padaparimi for this project. The initiative is a joint venture between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Amarajeevi Sri Potti Sriramulu Memorial Trust, with strong coordination and support from Arya Vysya Commission Chairman, Sri Dundi Rakesh Garu.
The event was graced by several distinguished leaders, including Industries Minister Sri T.G. Bharat Garu, CRDA Commissioner Ponguluri Narayana Garu, MLAs Sharvan and Kolikipudi Srinivas Garu, and respected business leaders such as Prakash Arts Subba Rao Garu, Tenali Double Horse Shyam Garu, KPC Constructions’ K. Anil Garu, Pyda Krishna Murthy Garu, International Vasvi Club’s current chairman Ramakrishna Garu, ex-chairman V. Vasudeva Rao Garu, and Mastan Garu from Vizag. Generous contributions were also announced — ₹1 crore from the TGV Group (announced by T.G. Bharat Garu) and ₹50 lakhs from Prakash Arts Subba Rao Garu, handed over to Nara Lokesh Garu.
Sri Dundi Rakesh Garu explained that the Smrithivanam (Memorial Garden) will not only include the bronze statue but also an auditorium, a photo gallery depicting Potti Sriramulu’s life, and a skill development center. During the event, an AV documentary on Sri Sriramulu’s life and the memorial’s vision was screened. In his address, Sri Nara Lokesh Garu praised Sri Potti Sriramulu’s historic 58-day fast unto death, which ultimately led to the formation of a separate Telugu state. He emphasized the need to record and research Sriramulu’s legacy for future generations, and beautifully remarked: “Some lamps give light; some lamps show the path. Potti Sriramulu was the lamp who sacrificed his life to guide millions of Telugu people. Just as Mahatma Gandhi is revered as the Father of the Nation, Sriramulu must be honored as the Father of Linguistic States.”
He reminded everyone that Sriramulu’s sacrifice paved the way not just for Andhra Pradesh but also for the eventual creation of other linguistic states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. His words reminded us that while today many lose heart at small failures, Sriramulu’s determination and courage must inspire us to persevere.
Minister P. Narayana reaffirmed CRDA’s commitment to completing the project on schedule. One highlight of the day was Sri Nara Lokesh Garu’s gesture of staying back for several hours after the ceremony, personally interacting with supporters and taking photographs with them.
The event was exceptionally well organized, and all attendees expressed their heartfelt wishes for the success of the Sri Potti Sriramulu Memorial Committee in bringing this historic project to life.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/andhra-pradesh/stone-laid-for-potti-sriramulu-memorial-project-in-amaravati-works-to-be-completed-by-march-2026-1901414
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/lokesh-lays-foundation-for-potti-sriramulu-memorial/articleshow/123682203.cms
https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/nara-lokesh-lays-stone-for-potti-sriramulu-memorial-in-amaravati-1003093