The birth anniversary celebrations of ‘Andhra Kesari’ Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu were held by various civil society organisations and senior citizens here on Wednesday. The speakers recalled the services of Prakasam Pantulu as a freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of the Andhra state.
“He was such a courageous leader that he bared his chest and dared the British soldiers to fire at him during the visit of the Simon Commission in those days,” said Velcheti Chandramouli, president, A.P. Brahmana Seva Sanghala Samakhya.
Accompanied by scores of ‘Andhra Kesari’ admirers and followers, Mr. Chandramouli garlanded the statue of Prakasam Pantulu at the Madras Bus Stand and paid rich tributes.
The organisers demanded that the Central government recognise the services of ‘Andhra Kesari’ during India’s freedom movement and confer the Bharat Ratna on him. They also wanted the State government to name the newly constructed Secretariat building in Amaravati capital city after Prakasam Pantulu.
In East Godavari, District Collector Kartikeya Misra, Joint Collector A. Mallikarjuna, and other officers paid rich tributes to Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu at ZP Centre in Kakinada on Wednesday. They garlanded the Prakasam statue. The Collector said through dauntless courage and sacrifice Prakasam Pantulu won widespread admiration and his service to the State and his life was ideal for all. He said Prakasam had fought for the legitimate rights of Andhra people and stood for ethical values. Vemuri Ananda Surya, Chairman, AP Brahmin Welfare Corporation, who also garlanded the statue, said Tanguturi who showed his valour and courage during Simon Commission’s visit in British time, was conferred ‘Andhra Kesari’ and that based on his service to the State, the government was celebrating his birth anniversary as State function.
M. Jithendra, DRO, M.Jyothi, Executive Director of B.C. Corporation, Krishna Rao, District Manager, Civil Supplies, V. Ravi Kiram DSO, Phaleswara Rao, Deputy Director, Treasuries, M. Francis, DD Information, L. Raghbabu, RDO, Kakinada, and others attended the meeting.
In Tirupati, the birth anniversary was observed on a grand note at Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) on Wednesday.
SVU Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Damodaram garlanded the statue of Pantulu in front of the varsity’s administrative building, and paid floral tributes. He recalled his contributions in establishing the varsity and urged everyone to take him as their role model in contributing to the society.
SVU Registrar M. Devarajulu, Rector M. Bhaskar, TUDA Chairman G. Narasimha Yadav and others took part.
