PM Unveil Legendary Freedom Fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju’s Statue

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Prime Minister Modi launched the year-long 125th birth anniversary celebration of legendary freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju at Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh on 4 July.

• The Prime Minister also unveiled a 30 feet tall bronze statue of Alluri Sitarama Raju.

• As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the government is committed to give due recognition to the contribution of freedom fighters and to make people across the country aware of them.

• The government has also approved the construction of the Alluri Meditation Temple at Mogallu, which houses an idol of Alluri Sitarama Raju in meditation posture, depicting the story of his life through murals and an AI-enabled interactive system.

• Who is Alluri Sitarama Raju? 

• He was born on 4 July 1897 near Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh.

• Alluri Sitarama Raju is remembered for his rebellion against the British to protect the interests of tribal communities in the Eastern Ghats region.

• He had led the Rampa Rebellion that was started in 1922.

• The Rampa Rebellion was fought between 1922 and 1924.

• In 1924, Raju was taken into police custody, tied to a tree and shot, thus effectively ending the armed rebellion.

• For his courage he was awarded the rank of Manyam Veerudu, or "Forest Hero".