Pitch to include other Telugu personalities in NTR memorial

VIJAYAWADA: Suggestions are pouring in that the contribution of other Telugu personalities of Andhra Pradesh should also be acknowledged. The State Government has embarked on building a memorial to former chief minister and TD founder N. T. Rama Rao. Former chief secretary, Mr I.Y.R. Krishna Rao has written a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu suggesting that a committee may be formed of eminent persons beyond political considerations and the job of identifying those who should form part of this memorial, should be left to them.

“A separate state for Andhra became a reality due to the sacrifices made by two great Andhraites. Kesari Prakasam Pantulu garu and Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu garu. In fact their contribution in giving an identity to Andhra is a legacy filled with sacrifice. So is the contribution of Alluri Sitaramaraju who started and sustained a armed rebellion by tribals against the British and sacrificed his life. Stalwarts from different regions like Sardar Gouthu Latchanna and Tenneti Visvanathan of the north coastal area, Kalluri Subbarao Ramachari, Kadapa Koti Reddy and Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy from Rayalaseema area, Bezawada Gopal Reddy, N.G. Ranga, Pattabhi Sitaramayya from the coastal area have all made a lasting contribution in getting us a separate state and giving us a separate identity,” he said.

Mr Rao added that it would be fitting if this memorial was broad based and captured the above legacy of sacrifice. 

“Such a legacy from those great souls can give the right inspiration in our efforts to build Navyandhra,” he said.

He also said, “NT Rama Rao gave the Andhraites an identity at a time when we were being called as Madarasis and it is a welcome move to commemorate his memory. However others whose contribution is no less or maybe greater than that of NT Rama Rao in giving an identity to the Andhra people should also be included.”