Amaravati, March 16 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, inaugurated a remarkable 58-foot statue of Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu on Monday in Amaravati.

This bronze statue has been established at Sakhamuru Park as the Statue of Sacrifice, symbolizing the immense sacrifice made by Potti Sriramulu for the formation of a separate state for Telugu-speaking individuals.

The park's development and statue erection honor Potti Sriramulu, who tragically passed away in 1952 after undertaking a 58-day hunger strike in Madras, advocating for a distinct state for the Telugu-speaking populace.

The unveiling ceremony commemorated the 125th birth anniversary of Potti Sriramulu and was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Minister Nara Lokesh, and other dignitaries.

The project's first phase, completed on 6.80 acres, required an investment of approximately Rs 150 crore.

Officials noted that the Potti Sriramulu Memorial Trust constructed the impressive 58-foot statue in a record span of merely six months, utilizing a total of 26 tonnes of bronze and 42 tonnes of iron in its structure.

The second phase will include the construction of a museum, photo gallery, auditorium, and a skill development center on the premises.

During his address, Chandrababu Naidu emphasized that Potti Sriramulu epitomizes sacrifice, stating that the great leader transcended caste boundaries and dedicated his life to securing recognition for the entire Telugu community.

“While we have the Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Unity, Andhra Pradesh now boasts the Statue of Sacrifice,” he remarked.

The Chief Minister urged everyone to understand and draw inspiration from Potti Sriramulu's sacrifices.

“He showcased the true potential of the Telugu people during a time when they lacked a clear identity. Although Mahatma Gandhi achieved independence through non-violent means, Potti Sriramulu attained statehood through the ultimate self-sacrifice,” he added.

He acknowledged that it was after Potti Sriramulu’s sacrifice that the central government initiated the formation of states based on linguistic lines.

Chandrababu Naidu highlighted that Potti Sriramulu engaged in numerous struggles over five decades, enduring personal tragedies, including the loss of his wife and children, yet he continued his fight for the nation. He advocated for temple entry rights for Dalits and even undertook a 29-day hunger strike for this cause.

He reiterated that the Telugu people must remember Potti Sriramulu’s sacrifices, especially given the numerous challenges they have faced throughout history.

He reminisced about the establishment of Andhra State with Kurnool as its capital, followed by Hyderabad becoming the capital of Andhra Pradesh. In 2014, the new state of Andhra Pradesh emerged with Amaravati designated as its capital.

Chandrababu Naidu criticized the previous YSRCP government for what he termed a divisive strategy regarding the three capitals issue from 2019 to 2024.

“They proposed three capitals but effectively left us without a true capital. Currently, Amaravati is evolving as the people’s capital,” he concluded.