PNS|Vijayawada
Former MLA Yalamanchili Ravi has demanded that Benz Circle be renamed ‘Ukku Kakani Circle’. The statue of freedom fighter and Jai Andhra movement leader Kakani Venkata Ratnam, which had been situated at the Benz Circle traffic island for 50 years, was removed when the construction of flyovers was stated. He expressed unhappiness over having to beg the State government for reinstalling the Kakani statue at the Benz Circle. There will be no traffic problems because of the statue, he said.
Congress Party senior leader, freedom fighter and three-time MLA Kakani Venkata Ratnam’s (Ukku Kakani) 50th death anniversary was observed at a programme organised beneath Benz Circle Flyover on Sunday. Former MLA Yalamanchili Ravi, senior Congress leaders and Kakani followers attended the function and paid homage to Kakani.
Speaking on the occasion, former MLA Ravi expressed unhappiness over the authorities not restoring the Kakani statue even after the completion of the flyover construction. When the statue was removed, the government had assured it would be reinstalled after the completion of the flyover works, he said.
He further said that Kakani was an inspiration for people to start educational institutions to provide free education to all. The Government ITI College, Government Polytechnic College and others were started in Vijayawada only because of Kakani’s hard work. At the time of the freedom struggle, as many as 180 educational institutions were set up in Krishna district, he added.
“Kakani Venkata Ratnam strived to acquire lands from farmers at Patamata and handed over compensation to them. Because of his hard work, Asia’s biggest Autonagar came to Vijayawada. The Krishna District Milk Producers Mutually Aided Cooperative Milk Union, Beckon Factory and cooperative banks were started in the district,” he said.
He expressed anger over the State government throwing the Kakani statue on the road. The State government should respond immediately, take necessary steps to reinstall the Kakani statue and rename Benz Circle as Ukku Kakani Circle, he said.
Congress NTR district president Naraharasetti Narasimha Rao, senior leader Kolanukonda Sivaji and others were present.
Lack of purity in today’s politics
Kakani Venkata Ratnam’s 50th death anniversary was observed on the premises of Kakani Kalyana Mandapam at Hanuman Junction in Krishna district on Sunday. Kakani’s grandson and Kakani Ashaya Sadhana Samithi president Tarun Kakani, former MLA Bachina Chencu Garataiah, BJP State secretary Pathuri Nagabhushanam and Andhra Pradesh Water Users Associations’ Federation president Venkata Gopala Krishnarao garlanded the Kakani statue and paid tributes to him.
Speaking on the occasion, several guests said that today’s politics was not pure. They called for good politics for better service of society. Political leaders should strive to achieve Kakani’s ambitions, they said.
Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Temple founder trustee Kakani Venkateswara Rao (Babu), former ZPTC member Sunkara Subhash Chandra Bose, Jana Sena Party leaders Ch Ramesh Babu, TDP leader Tummala Jagan, Sagguru Milk Society present P Nagamani and others were present.
