History of freedom struggle not about a few years & some people: Modi

India has eliminated all queues by going online

05/07/2022

BHIMAVARAM (AP), Jul 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday 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.
Addressing a large public meeting at Pedaamiram here after unveiling a 30-ft bronze statue of legendary freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju on his 125th birth anniversary, the Prime Minister said his government in the last eight years worked with a commitment & implemented policies aimed at fulfilling the dreams of the freedom fighters.
"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 & 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. The freedom struggle was also a reflection of India's diversity & culture.
Recalling Alluri's war cry to the British, "Dum hai to mujherok lo" (Stop me if you have the guts), the Prime Minister said people of the country were now using a similar slogan, "Dum hai to hameinrok lo" as they were bravely confronting many challenges and difficulties.
"The 130 crore citizens of the country, in unison and capability, are daring the challenges and saying Stop us if you have the guts', Modi observed. He said inspiration drawn from the likes of Alluri would take the country to great heights.
"There are new ideas and new possibilities now. The youth are now carrying the responsibility on their shoulders and taking the nation forward," he added.
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).
"From his birth to martyrdom, the life journey of Alluri Sitarama Raju is an inspiration for all of us.
He had dedicated his life for the rights of Adivasis and for the freedom of the country," he said. While the country was celebrating 75 years of Independence, it was also the 125th birth anniversary of Alluri. And, incidentally, it was also the centenary of the Rampa Rebellion that Alluri led in 1922, the Prime Minister pointed out.
"Alluri's 125th birth anniversary and Rampa Rebellion's centenary will be celebrated through the year. Renovation of Pandrangi village, Alluri's birthplace, & the Chinta-palli police station that he first attacked and construction of Alluri Dhyana Mandir at Mogallu village were symbols of our lasting emotions," Modi added.
A museum was being built in Lambasingi for Alluri & other Adivasiwa-rriors. The Prime Minister said Andhra Pradesh was a land of patriots and legends like PingaliVenkaiah, who designed the National Flag, Kanneganti Hanumanthu, Kandukuri Veeresalingam, Potti Sriramulu & Uyyal-avada Narasimha Reddy, the first revolutionary.
The legacy of the land was inspirational, he said and paid his tributes to all of them.
Dwelling on tribal welfare, the Prime Minister said that for the first time since independence, tribal museums are being established to highlight tribal pride and heritage.
Through programmes like Skill India Mission, tribal art was receiving a new identity while Vocal for Local was ensuring income for the community members.
The government has changed decades old laws, that prevented the tribal people from cutting forest produce like bamboo and gave them rights over them, he added
The Prime Minister arrived in Vijayawada International Airport by a special aircraft from Hyderabad and flew by helicopter to Bhimavaram.
After unveiling the statue of Alluri, the Prime Minister felicitated AlluriSriramaRaju, Alluri's nephew, and Bodi Dora, son of Alluri's close lieutenant Mallu Dora.
Andhra Pradesh Governor BiswaBhusanHarichandan, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G Kishan Reddy, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, former Union Minister and film star K Chiranjeevi, state Tourism and Culture Minister R K Roja and others were present.
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. Earlier, Modi felicitated Alluri Srirama Raju, Alluri's nephew, and Bodi Dora, son of Alluri's close lieutenant Mallu Dora.
Praising the role of digital technology in changing the lives of people of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India has eliminated queues by going online to provide different services.
If India does not adopt new technology with changing times, it will remain backward. The country experienced this during the third industrial revolution, Modi said while addressing a gathering after inaugurating Digital India Week 2022 here.
Eight to 10 years ago, we had to stand in lines (queues) for everything. We had to stand in line for birth certificates, to pay bills, for ration, for admission, for exam results, for certificates, in banks. How many lines we used to stand in? India has eliminated all lines by going online, he said.
The central government's flagship programme Digital India has given relief to the poor from corruption and it is working for elimination of middlemen in all fields, Modi said at the event.

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