Describing revolutionary Telugu freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju as an iconic and inspiring leader who stood up to the mighty British empire, leaders called upon youth to emulate him.
HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Lok Sabha member K. Haribabu and Municipal Commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana addressed a gathering after garlanding his statue at Sitammadhara on his 117 birth anniversary on Friday.
CPI(M) leader Ch. Narsinga Rao said the real tribute to Alluri would be providing health care to the Girijans as he had tried him help them with ayurvedic medicines in those times.
At various meetings, the demand for naming the district after Alluri was unanimous.
At AUAt the celebration at Andhra University, Vice-Chancellor G.S.N. Raju said his patriotism and exemplary character earned him an immortal fame.
Rector E.A. Narayana, Registrar K. Ramamohana Rao and principals Ch. Ratnam, D. Surya Prakasa Rao, B. Ganga Rao and R. Satya Raju participated.
Round tableAt a round table organised by Uttarandhra Journalists Front, Prof. Raju said the university would name messes in its hostels after freedom fighters from North Andhra.
Uttarandhra Rakshana Vedika president S.S. Siva Sankar, UJF president M.R.N. Varma, general secretary N. Nageswara Rao and All India Radio duty officer R.V. Ramana Murthy participated.
BJP celebratesAt a function organised by city BJP, senior leader P V Chalapathi Rao said Alluri had spent his childhood in Visakhapatnam, studied in AVN College and revolted against the British unable to tolerate the repression of Girijans in the Agency.
City president P V Narayana Rao, general secretary Appala Konda and city Mahila Morcha president Sulochana Reddy participated.
Alumni cherishes memory
Principal of Mrs. AVN College, where Alluri studied, Vedula Perraju said the institute would forever cherish his memory as an uncompromising fighter for independence.
Students urged that the areas where he lived should be developed.
