Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed a large public meeting at Pedaamiram in Andra Pradesh after unveiling a 30-ft bronze statue of legendary freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju on his 125th birth anniversary. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister R K Roja requested him for a selfie after he finished his speech and he graciously obliged. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was also present on stage.
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During his speech, PM Modi said the history of the country's freedom struggle was not about a few years or some people, as he called for building a New India that reflected the dreams of the freedom fighters and one that ensured equal opportunities to all sections.
"As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Independence, the responsibility is on every citizen to fulfill the dreams of the freedom fighters. Our New India should be an India of their dreams. Such India, where the poor, farmers, workers, backward classes, Adivasis and oppressed have equal opportunities," the Prime Minister remarked.
He paid glowing tributes to all those who fought to free the country from colonial rule.
"The fight for freedom is not the history of a few years, a few regions or some people. This is the history of every nook and corner of the country, the history of sacrifices and martyrdom of people of all corners," Modi noted.
Paying glowing tributes to Alluri, popularly called the "Manyam Veerudu" (Hero of the Forest), Modi pointed out that the legendary freedom fighter was a symbol of "Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat" (one nation, best nation).
After the public meeting, the Prime Minister specially interacted with the kinfolks of Alluri and his close lieutenants, in a special enclosure. Modi then returned to Vijayawada International Airport by helicopter and, from there, flew by a special aircraft to Ahmedabad.
(With PTI inputs)
