Alapati Venkataramaiah

Alapati Venkataramaiah (9 September 1917 – 16 June 1965) was a freedom fighter and government minister from Andhra Pradesh, India.

Venkataramaiah was born on 9 September 1917 to a very rich agricultural family in the village of Edlapalli, about seven kilometres from Tenali Town in Guntur district.

His parents were Alapati Anjaiah Garu and Smt Chellamma Garu.

In those years when there were no proper schools in the villages, Sri Alapati Venkataramaiah Garu completed only primary school.

But as a generous and kind-hearted person he knew the needs of the community, in fact some elders say his lack of higher education was a blessing in disguise in some ways as it left him pure and simple.

When his well-wishers mentioned to him that having a degree would have helped him, he used to say that to live honestly and fulfill one's responsibilities effectively that degrees were not required.

25/01/1950 Unanimously elected as the chairman of Guntur District Cooperative Central Bank and continued to be re elected for 5 times in the same post until 1962.

As an animal lover he enjoyed conducting races for bulls and horse carts in his village in the name of eminent freedom fighter Desoddaraka Kasinathuni Nageswara Rao in 1940.

That was the first time races were held on such a large scale in Guntur district.

He conducted Kabaddi and volleyball tournaments also in his twenties.

Attracted by the freedom struggle going on in the country he took part in the Quit India movement in 1942.

He worked undercover supplying money, clothes and food to the people participating in the movement.

He along with Bayankarachari and Seshagiri Rao were a trio who worked closely.

In one such operation while he was on his way back from Alipore camp jail after meeting some freedom fighters, he was arrested by Police with 3 revolvers on him.

He was arrested and kept in Bellary police station.

He had a childhood friend who was the Munsif in the Hospet court on whose guarantee he was released on bail.

This laid a very good foundation for his career in the Congress party.

1946 Organized a stop for the special train taking Gandhiji near his village and ensured thousands of people could get a glimpse of Mahatma.

1951 President of the Guntur District Congress.

He represented Tenali in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly for four consecutive terms from 1952 to 1965.

One notable and memorable fact that made the Congress party take notice of this young dynamic leader was his victory in the first Madras Legislative Assembly Elections of 1952.

There was a big communist wave sweeping across the Telugu land and political stalwarts such as Kasu Bramhananda Reddy, Kalluri Chandramouli, Kakani Venkatratnam, Yarlagadda Sivaram Prasad, Bezwada Gopal Reddy and Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy all lost this election.

Out of 17 seats in the combined Guntur and Prakasam district, the Congress party could only win 4 seats, with the Communists and Socialists winning the remaining 13.

But Mr Alapati won his seat with a majority of over 8,000 votes, leading to the popular moniker of the 'Iron Man' in Guntur District.

His seniors both in age and politically were Mr Kala Venkata Rao, Mr Mantena Venkat Raju, Mr Kalluri Chandramouli and his guide, mentor and best friend Mr Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy.

They were fondly called the Pancha Pandavas with Mr Alapati the youngest of them.

1952 Elected as MLA in the first ever Assembly elections after Independence.

Won consecutively from Tenali in 1955 (by-election), 1957 and 1962.

1959 Became the Municipal Chairman Tenali.

09/08/1942 Entered the Quit India Movement.

12/03/1962 Took oath as Municipal Administration Minister in Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Cabinet.

Proved himself as an able administrator by Amending the old Municipal act.

Envisioned, planned and laid the foundation for KPHB Housing colony Phase I and II in Hyderabad by convincing the CM and the state cabinet against heavy odds due to its distance from the city back then.

'S.R Nagar' built in the name of his mentor and friend was his pet project, to which many people in the colony acknowledge him till date and proof of his far sightedness.

Planned and implemented the beautification of TankBund in Hyderabad.

The Bund was widened to include gardens and a Restaurant.

As part of first phase 1.5 km of Bund was widened and more money was to be allocated in the next budget before he died.

As Municipal Administration and Housing minister he considered 'Vizag' as his second home.

Major developments he did during his tenure was the expansion of Tatipudi Reservoir to supply drinking water to city and also to the steel plant.

In those days the beach road between Harbour and Andhra university was not connected end to end there was Indian navy's Coastal battery in the middle, people had to travel an extra 1.5 km. The Navy was unwilling to part with land to the Vizag corporation to connect The Missing Link.