Potti Social Activist

Potti Sreeramulu, popular in the name of Potti Sriramulu or Potti Sri ramulu was a Indian revolutionary. On 16th March 1901, he was born to Guravayya and Mahalakshmamma. Being a devout follower of Mahatma Gandhi, he worked towards upholding the principles such as truth and non-violence and to attain his foremost objectives such as Harijan upliftment. He sacrificed his life in the process of achieving the state of Andhra by undertaking a fast-unto-death.

Potti Sreeramulu is thus remembered for his sacrifice, which worked in the goal of attaining the linguistic re-organisation of states. He is referred to as a sacred or the immortal being for his sacrifice of life. He also attained the title of Amarajeevi in the state of Andhra Pradesh for such dedication and the courage to end his life for a greater cause.

The ancestors of Potti Sreeramulu belonged to the village of Patamatapalle, located at the Nellore District. He studied in Madras during his childhood, until he attained the age of 20. He belonged from the caste of Arya Vysya that was popularly known for trading. He went to Bombay and studied Sanitary Engineering in the Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute. He then joined the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, where he worked for about four years.

Potti Sreeramulu lost his wife, in the year 1927 when he was only 25 years of old. Due to this shocking experience at such young age, he lost all interests in the material world. He then resigned from his job and divided his property between his brothers and mother. He joined the Sabarmati Ashram and started his second course of journey as an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi. Potti Sreeramulu took an active part in the Indian Independence Movement. He was taken to imprisonment for participating in the Salt Satyagraha that took place in the year 1930.

Between the period of 1941-42, Potti Sreeramulu also participated in the Quit India movement and was imprisoned thrice. He worked for the village reconstruction programmes at Rajkot in Gujarat, Komaravolu in Krishna district and Andhra Pradesh. Moreover,he also joined the Gandhi Ashram.

The years between 1943 and 1944 were also significant as he worked for the widespread adoption of Charkha in Nellore district. During 1946-48 he fasted to gain entry for the Harijans into religious temples. During the last stages of his life, he stayed in Nellore. He worked ceaselessly for the upliftment of the masses and strived hard to preserve the unique Andhra culture. Potti Sreeramulu died on the midnight of 15th December and is remembered for his vision and courage even today. Wikipedia