PM’s address at 125th Jayanti celebrations of Alluri Sitarama Raju in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh

Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! The Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Biswabhushan Harichandan ji, Chief Minister Shri Jagan Mohan Reddy ji, my cabinet colleagues, all other dignitaries present with us on the dais in this historic event and my dear brothers and sisters of Andhra Pradesh! Greetings to all of you! Today, I feel fortunate to be able to pay homage to the land with such rich heritage! Today, on one hand, the country is celebrating the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ for 75 years of independence, while on the other hand it’s the 125th birth anniversary of Alluri Sitaram Raju Garu. Co-incidentally, at the same time 100 years of the “Rampa Revolution” for the country’s freedom are also being completed. On this historic occasion, I pay my respectful tributes on behalf of the entire country by bowing at the feet of “Manyam Veerudu” Alluri Sitarama Raju. Today his family members have also come to bless us. We are really fortunate. We all have the privilege of seeking blessings of the family that belongs to the great tradition. I also respectfully bow to the great tribal tradition of this land of Andhra, to all the great revolutionaries who belong to this tradition as also to those who have sacrificed their lives. Friends, The 125th birth anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju Garu and the 100th anniversary of Rampa rebellion will be celebrated throughout the year. The work on restoration of his birth place at Pandrangi, renovation of Chintapalle police station and construction of Alluri meditation temple at Mogallu are all part of our Amrit Mahotsav concept. I extend my heartiest congratulations to all of you for all these efforts and for this annual festival. Particularly, I congratulate all those friends, who are working to take our glorious history to every individual. During the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, we all have pledged to ensure that the country is familiarized with the history of its freedom struggle and its inspirations. Today’s programme is a reflection of that as well. Friends, The struggle for independence is not just the history of a few years, of some areas, or of some people. This is the history of renounciation, tenacity and sacrifices from every nook and corner of India. The history of our freedom movement is the symbol of our strength of diversity, cultural power and our solidarity as a nation. Alluri Sitarama Raju Garu embodies India’s cultural and tribal identity, India’s bravery, ideals and values. Sitaram Raju Garu is a symbol of the ideology of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ which has been uniting this country for thousands of years. From the birth of Sitaram Raju Garu to his sacrifice, his life’s journey is an inspiration to all of us. He dedicated his life for the rights of tribal society, to support them in troubled times and for the freedom of the country. When Sitaram Raju Garu raised his cry for revolution, he said – “Manade Rajyam” i.e. our state. This is a great example of our efforts as a nation imbued with the spirit of Vande Mataram. The spirituality of India filled Sitaram Raju Garu with the sense of compassion and truth, equanimity and affection for the tribal society as well as sacrifice and courage. When Sitaram Raju Garu started the war against the atrocities of the foreign rule, he was only 24-25 years old. At the young age of 27, he became a martyr for his motherland India. Many youngsters who had participated in the Rampa rebellion and had fought for the independence of the country were around the same age. These young heroes of the freedom struggle are the source of energy and inspiration for our country in today’s time. The youth came forward and led the freedom movement for the country. Today, this is the best opportunity for the youth of today to come forward to fulfil the dreams of New India. Today there are new opportunities in the country and new dimensions are opening up. There is new thinking. And new possibilities are being born. To fulfil these possibilities, a large number of our youngsters are taking these responsibilities on their shoulders and carrying the country forward. Andhra Pradesh is the land of heroes and patriots. There were freedom fighters like Pingali Venkayya, who had designed the flag of the country. This is the land of heroes like Kaneganti Hanumanthu, Kandukuri Veeresalingam Panthulu and Potti Sriramulu. Here fighters like Uyyalavada Narasimha Reddy raised their voices against the atrocities of the British. Today, it is the responsibility of all the countrymen, the 130 crore Indians, to fulfil the dreams of these fighters in ‘Amritkaal’. Our new India should be the India of their dreams; the India in which the poor, farmers, labourers, backward classes and tribals have equal opportunities. In the last eight years, the country has also made policies to fulfil this resolve, and has also worked with complete devotion. Notably, following the ideals of Shri Alluri and other fighters, the country has worked day and night for the welfare and development of the tribal brothers and sisters. Numerous efforts are being made during the Amrit Mahotsav to take the unique contribution of tribal society made in the freedom struggle to every household. For the first time since independence, tribal museums are being set up to showcase the tribal pride and heritage of the country. The “Alluri Sitarama Raju Memorial Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum” is also being built at Lambasingi, Andhra Pradesh. Since last year, the country has also started celebrating Bhagaban Birsa Munda Jayanti as “National Tribal Pride Day” on November 15. The foreign rule committed the most grievous atrocities on our tribals and even made efforts to destroy their culture. The efforts being made today will showcase that sacrificial past and will continue to inspire generations to come. Following the ideals of Sitaram Raju Garu, today the country is creating new opportunities for the tribal youth. Many efforts are being made to make our forest wealth a medium of employment and opportunities for the youth of the tribal society. Today tribal art-skills are getting a new identity through the Skill India Mission. “Vocal for Local” is making tribal artefacts a source of income. The decades-old laws that prevented tribal people from cutting down forest produce like bamboo were changed and we have given them the rights over forest produce. Today, the government is making several new efforts to promote forest products. Till eight years ago, only 12 forest products were procured at MSP, but today around 90 products are included in the MSP purchase list as forest produce. The country has also started the work of linking forest wealth with modern opportunities through Van Dhan Yojana. Besides, over 3000 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras and more than 50,000 Van Dhan Self Help Groups are also functioning in the country. Tribal Research Institute has also been established in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Tribal areas are getting a huge benefit of the campaign being run for the development of the aspirational districts of the country. 750 Eklavya Model Schools are also being established for the education of tribal youth. The emphasis laid on education in the mother tongue in the National Education Policy will also help tribal children in studies. “Manyam Veerudu” was shown by Alluri Sitarama Raju during his struggle against the British – “Stop me if you can!”. Today the country, the 130 crore countrymen, are also confronting the challenges with the same courage, strength and unity and telling – “Stop us if you can”. When our youth, tribals, women, dalits, the deprived and backward sections of the society lead the country, no one can stop the formation of a new India. I am sure that the inspiration of Sitaram Raju Garu will take us as a nation to infinite heights. With this spirit, I once again bow down at the feet of the great freedom fighters from the land of Andhra. And today’s event, this zeal, enthusiasm, and the ocean of people are telling the world and the countrymen that we will not forget the heroes of the freedom struggle and we will move forward seeking inspiration from them. I once again congratulate all of you who have come to pay homage to the brave freedom fighters in such a large number. I thank you all very much from the bottom of my heart. Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Thank you!