CM Naidu pays tribute to freedom fighter Praggada Kotayya
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu on 26 July 2026 paid tribute to Praggada Kotayya, a freedom fighter, former MP, and handloom workers' champion from Nidubrolu, Guntur, on his birth anniversary, calling him the 'patriarch of the handloom sector.'
Key Takeaways
Chandrababu Naidu paid tribute to Praggada Kotayya on his birth anniversary on 26 July 2026 .
Praggada Kotayya was a freedom fighter, former Member of Parliament, and advocate for handloom workers' rights.
He was born into an impoverished family in Nidubrolu village, Guntur district , Andhra Pradesh.
Naidu referred to Kotayya as the 'চেনেত রংগ পিতামহুডু' — 'patriarch of the handloom sector' — revered by crores of weavers.
The tribute highlights the continued political and cultural significance of weaver welfare in Andhra Pradesh .
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday, 26 July 2026, paid rich tributes to Praggada Kotayya, a prominent freedom fighter, former Member of Parliament, and champion of handloom workers' rights, on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
Context
In his post, Chief Minister Naidu described Kotayya as a revered figure for crores of handloom workers across the country. Paying homage, he referred to Kotayya as the 'చేనేత రంగ పితామహుడు' — the 'patriarch of the handloom sector' — and acknowledged his lifelong struggle for the rights and dignity of weavers.
Naidu noted that Kotayya was born into an impoverished family in Nidubrolu village, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, and rose to become a towering figure of the independence movement and a voice for marginalised weaving communities.
Policy Backdrop
Praggada Kotayya's legacy is deeply intertwined with the handloom sector, which remains one of the largest employment generators in Andhra Pradesh and across India. The sector supports millions of weavers, many of whom belong to economically vulnerable communities.
Indian political leaders routinely mark birth anniversaries of regional freedom fighters to reaffirm their connection to local histories of social justice and economic struggle. In Andhra Pradesh, such commemorations carry particular weight given the state's rich tradition of handloom weaving and the continued relevance of weaver welfare to electoral and governance priorities.
Stakeholders and Impact
Handloom workers and weavers across Andhra Pradesh and the broader Telugu-speaking region regard Praggada Kotayya as a foundational advocate for their community. His journey from a poor family in Nidubrolu to Parliament is seen as emblematic of the aspirations of weaving communities who have historically faced economic hardship.
Chief Minister Naidu's public tribute, shared with accompanying images on X, signals the continued political and cultural significance of Kotayya's legacy to the state's ruling establishment and its relationship with artisan communities.
What's Next
Commemorations of this nature in Andhra Pradesh often precede or accompany state-level announcements or events aimed at supporting the handloom sector. Observers will watch for any policy measures or welfare initiatives for weavers that the Naidu government may announce in the period following this tribute.
Point of View
' Naidu signals continued state attention to weaver communities who remain a significant constituency in the Telugu-speaking region. Such commemorations are rarely merely ceremonial in Andhra Pradesh politics; they often precede or accompany welfare announcements for artisan communities. The tribute also reinforces the TDP's broader effort to position itself as the custodian of the state's freedom struggle legacy alongside its development agenda.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Praggada Kotayya?
Praggada Kotayya was a prominent Indian freedom fighter, former Member of Parliament, and a leading advocate for the rights of handloom workers. He was born into a poor family in Nidubrolu village, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, and is widely regarded as the 'patriarch of the handloom sector.'
Why did Chandrababu Naidu pay tribute to Praggada Kotayya?
CM N. Chandrababu Naidu paid tribute to Praggada Kotayya on the occasion of his birth anniversary on 26 July 2026, honouring his contributions as a freedom fighter and champion of handloom workers' rights.
Where was Praggada Kotayya born?
Praggada Kotayya was born in Nidubrolu village in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, into an impoverished family.
What is the significance of Praggada Kotayya for handloom workers?
Praggada Kotayya is revered by crores of handloom workers across India for his lifelong struggle for their rights and welfare. He is described as the 'patriarch of the handloom sector' in Andhra Pradesh.
What did Chandrababu Naidu say about Praggada Kotayya?
Chief Minister Naidu described Praggada Kotayya as a worshipped figure for crores of handloom workers and paid rich tributes, calling him the 'patriarch of the handloom sector' on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
