The 102nd death anniversary of freedom fighter Alluri Sitharama Raju was observed on Thursday with solemn ceremonies across Visakhapatnam and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts. Officials, political leaders, and civil society organisations paid tributes to the tribal revolutionary, recalling his sacrifices for independence and his struggle for tribal rights.

Joint Collector Tirumani Sri Pooja led the tributes at the Collectorate in Paderu, garlanding a portrait of Alluri and offering floral tributes at his statue. She called upon every citizen to contribute to national development in his spirit.

In Visakhapatnam, the district Collectorate observed the anniversary, with Tourism Officer Madhavi, SETVIS CEO Ramya, and district-level officers paying floral tributes. Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat visited the statue of Alluri Sitharama Raju at Pandrangi village and offered floral tributes, describing Alluri as a fearless warrior who mobilised tribal communities towards the freedom movement.

The Alluri Seetharama Raju Vignana Kendram held a commemoration meeting, with Trust Chairman C.h. Narsinga Rao and former Pendurthi Polytechnic Principal N. Chandrasekhara exhorting youth to imbibe Alluri’s spirit of sacrifice. The court and government offices will resume normal functioning on Friday, with the Visakhapatnam district administration announcing plans to develop sites associated with Alluri into national heritage centres.