Statue of Sacrifice to Honour Potti Sriramulu in Amaravati

Vijayawada, Dec 2025 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced that a 58-foot-tall statue of Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu will be installed in Amaravati as a lasting tribute to his supreme sacrifice. The statue will be known as the “Statue of Sacrifice” and will stand as a symbol of the struggle that led to the formation of a separate state for the Telugu people.

Along with the statue, the state government will develop a memorial park spread over 6.5 acres in Amaravati in memory of Potti Sriramulu. The legendary freedom fighter and Gandhian died in 1952 after undertaking a 56-day hunger strike in Madras, demanding a separate state for Telugu-speaking people. His sacrifice eventually paved the way for the creation of Andhra State.

Chief Minister Naidu also announced that memorials dedicated to Potti Sriramulu would be developed in Chennai and Nellore as well, to honour his life and legacy across regions closely associated with his struggle.

The announcements were made at a programme organised to mark the death anniversary of Potti Sriramulu. On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated the family members of Potti Sriramulu and paid rich tributes to his selfless commitment to the Telugu cause.

Addressing the gathering, Naidu said the NDA government has decided to observe the death anniversary of Potti Sriramulu as a Day of Sacrifice. He further announced that year-long commemorative celebrations in honour of Potti Sriramulu would be organised from March 16, 2026, to ensure that future generations understand the significance of his sacrifice.

Recalling the contributions of past leaders, the Chief Minister said that former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao had recognised the life sacrifice of Potti Sriramulu by naming the Telugu University after him. He added that the TDP government later renamed Nellore district as Potti Sriramulu Nellore district as a mark of respect.

Naidu emphasised that Potti Sriramulu belonged to no single caste or community and that his sacrifice was for the dignity and recognition of the entire Telugu society. “He is a symbol of selfless sacrifice and unity,” the Chief Minister said.

Speaking about development, Naidu said the state government is working with the goal of making Andhra Pradesh number one in development. Citing a recent RBI report, he said Andhra Pradesh ranks first in the production of fruits and fish. He also stated that the state has been able to attract investments worth Rs 21 lakh crore in the last 18 months.

The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh can now confidently say that its capital is Amaravati. Responding to criticism on the issue of medical colleges, he alleged that some people were trying to politicise the matter. He clarified that while medical colleges will be developed under the PPP model, they will remain under the supervision of the state government.

Naidu concluded by stating that the government is giving top priority to balanced regional development, decentralisation, and the promotion of entrepreneurship, with a focus on providing equal opportunities to all sections of society.

Team Maverick.