Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the 30-feet tall bronze statue of Alluri Sitarama Raju at a special program on his 125th birth anniversary celebrations in Andhra Pradesh's Bhimavaram.
Speaking on the celebrations, the Prime Minister paid tributes to the freedom fighter.
"As the country celebrates Amrit Mahotsav of 75 years of independence, we alongside celebrate the 125th anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju. At the same time, 100 years of 'Rampa Kranti' for the country's independence are also completed. I bow down my head and give a tribute to him," said PM Modi.
He said during India's freedom struggle, the youth played a pivotal role and today, as we are building a New India, the youth needs to come forward and contribute to this vision.
"As we celebrate 75 years of Independence, we need to build an India that symbolizes the vision of our great freedom fighters. A country with equal opportunities, rapid growth and a country where 133 crore citizens come together for the vision of a New India. Today, for the first time after Independence, to create awareness about Adivasi Gaurav and Viraasat we are building museums to tell the story of the great tribal leaders of India," he said.
"Today, it is the responsibility of all of us countrymen to fulfill the dreams of these fighters in Amrit Kaal. Our new India should be the India of their dreams. An India in which poor, farmers, labourers, backward, tribals have equal opportunities," added PM Modi.
"Restoration of Alluri Sitarama Raju's birthplace, renovation of Chintapalli police station, and construction of Alluri temple in Mogallu symbolise our Amrit Mahotsav spirit," said PM Modi.
Born on July 4, 1897, Alluri Sitarama Raju is remembered for his fight against the British, in order to safeguard the interests of the tribal communities in the Eastern Ghats region. He had led the Rampa rebellion, which was launched in 1922. He is referred to as "Manyam Veerudu" (Hero of the Jungles) by the local people.
(ANI)