Vijayawada: A family from Vijayawada that made bombs for the freedom movement is now constructing a temple for Mahatma Gandhi and promoting peace.
Rampilla Narasamma, a freedom fighter from the city, who is now 87-years-old, says that peace and non-violence are the best weapons, and patience is needed for the success of any agitation.
Looking back on her days fighting for freedom of the country from British rule, Rampilla Narasayyama says that aazadi (freedom) was the burning slogan then. She often accompanied her husband Suryanarayana who was a key leader in the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP).
Independence from the British rule was a big dream then and every agitation taken up by the RSP was kept secret. Only a few knew actually what the plans were. “We used to leave our homes carrying locally-made bombs and weapons, as if we were going on a pilgrimage, and hand them over to leaders in various parts of the country, without leaving a clue for the British police,” she recalls.
The revolutionaries made arms and explosives in the hilly terrains of Vidyadharapuram because it was a remote place then, she said.
“After the arrest of Keso Prasad and other members of the revolutionary party, we finally decided that it was not the right way to fight. So we joined peaceful in the non-violent protests of Gandhiji. We were arrested in the Quit India movement and were put in Vijayawada jail for 42 days.
“I still cannot forget the day when India was declared independent and celebrations were held across the country and at the historic Swaraj Maidan, Bandar Laku and other areas in the city.
“My family later started fighting for labourers. We served in trade unions without entering into politics. “We have started constructing a temple to Mahatma Gandhi who preached non-violence to the world, in Syed Appala Swami College in the city,” says the doughty lady.
