Bhaskaran Sir

Bhasker Rao Sir (sitting in the front row right hand to brother)

Bhasker Rao Sir (as we call him) joined our school as telugu
teacher in his teen years. He grew up in Puttur and after completing
his studies in Telugu literature joined our school.
Durga Teacher (his wife) also taught us telugu in the primary school.
I remember from 5th class onwards Sir handled
all our telugu classes.

He was unique in terms for teaching telugu poetry. He used
teach by first singing the poem and then used to explain
the poem ( just like Ghantasala Bhagavat Geeta )
He did this everyday for 30+ years and some of us think
this resulted in problems for the throat.

He lived his life contentiously and served our
school for almost all his life.

Personally he helped me a lot by giving rightful advise
at much needed times (going to US, renting Aliabad house,
Old Boys Association etc.). He also used
to share his issues with us (daughters' marriages etc.).

Being our Sir, we can learn a lot from his simple life. I think
he is one of the very few who stuck to his ideals
till the end. We never heard anything remotely negative
about Sir all our lives. He is the one who knew how to talk pleasantly and
always maintained good appearance (always well dressed, walks straight,
talks clearly). Also he never left our school until his death
(re-joined the school after retirement as primary school principal).

He played lot of roles for our school (telugu teacher, managing
printing press, ITI, warden for boarders, primary school principal,
running OBA) and more importantly had knowledge of every kid and parents
of Boys Town. Streets, lanes and by lanes of Aliabad, Jahanuma,
Shamsheergunj, etc.. miss this teacher as much as we do. He chose
to move to Aliabad this January from the city just to be close
to our school. All three communities (here religions) respected him
and as he was the only one allowed to roam freely in sensitive areas of Jahanuma
during communal riots. Lot of Muslim families and students in Jahanuma
miss him as much as we do.

His sons (Naren and Pavan) and daughters are all settled in their lives.

Bro. Celestine, myself and Surie specially miss him a lot.

Though we completed our schooling
in 1978, some of us (specially myself and Surender) were in
close contact with him till his end. I met him last December in
the school and also he attended our gruha pravesham function.

Our beloved telugu teacher died after 40+ years
of dedicated service to our school and families around. His last wish was to do his
funeral in school premises, which was fulfilled with all people from all walks of life taking a last
glimpse of a dedicated teacher.

Please forward to any other Boys Town student you know

Venkat Aekka

April 24th, 1984 - Memoir on Vinu Mama

There were so many major events / milestones in my life like my marriage, kids, USA, father's death etc. One of the events that is outside my family but still had greater impact that any of those events is my friend Vinay's death on April 24th, 1984. Till then I was thinking friendship as ever-lasting and death as never-happening scenario. Both of them showed up uninvited at 12:15PM at Vizag's Ramakrishna Beach on a high tide, sunny summer afternoon.

Vinay Kumar Gupta (Vinu Mama) used to be an young, energetic, engineering college student. He was from Sultan Bazaar, Badi Chowdi lane and used to call his family as National Integration Family. Mom was Marathi, Dad was Telugu Vysya settled in Tamilnadu, Brother married a Kannadiga. So they had almost all languages being spoken at home. Vinay used to be fluent in Marathi, Hindi and spoke mostly Hindi with friends.

I met Vinay on my first day at Engineering College. We sat next to each other and our would be best friend (Sunder) walked in with a white Kurtha on the first day. Sunder is a heavy set, almost 6ft kind of a guy. With Kurtha and Hindi mannerisms, I made up my mind that he is definitely a Marwadi. After couple of days of getting to know each other, over few samosas & 1/2 teas at the Hilton (famous Irani hotel within 100 yds of campus), I was so sure about Sunder being Marwadi that I started confirming his Marwadi Origins. He said that he is a Tamil Iyer. I was so shocked that I kept on repeating my Marwadi Assumption. He got tired and finally replied that he will check again with his family.

Vinay was a fun loving kind of guy. I, Sunder and Vinay used to hang out a lot. Vinay was also very close to Shashank - Shanks. He always treated Shanks with respect saying he is better guy to hang around with. They also used to converse in Marathi whenever we were not around. Vinay used to build special bridges of his own, he used to be close with Poorna too.
Vinay's house in Badi Chowdi was centrally located (as realtors generally say location, location, location ..). Family always welcomed friends of Vinay. We used to get our own room, throw our books, listen to music and go to movies (Venkatramana, Prabhat, Maheswari sisters, Basant theatre were at walk able distances) after a sumptuous lunch prepared by Vinay's Mom. Sometimes Vinay played Bul Bul Thara and drums for his friends. He was a talented musician. We also started meeting his childhood friends Milind, Sharad, Anand Kulkarni, Peter (Prem's brother). They were all his Vivek Vardhini school / college mates. We also used to venture out to famous MojamJahi Market theatres Navrang, .. theatres playing Jitender, Sridevi telugu remakes like Toffa, etc.

Vinay did well in Engineering. From 3rd year onwards, we almost moved into Engineering Hostel-ECH II with Shanks/Sambesh/Pankaj/Poorna etc. We used to have fun schedules. We go to college in the morning and after our classes we used to go home. After dinner, we used to go back to hostel for studies/2nd shows/etc.. Among friends Vinay was only friend on wheels. After dinner he would pick me and Sunder (from Shankar Matt) for combined studies at Engg. Hostel .. Riding Thikkie.


Some of my memories of Vinay ..

• He used a good Tennicot Ring player. I don't know whether it is played nowadays.. But it is a very tricky and needed lot of stamina. The court is a smaller than a badminton court and players need to throw Tennicot Ring (almost tire like round, made of rubber, handy ring). The rules are that one should catch and release ring in seconds and ring should not vobble too much when thrown. Good players are excellent in placing ring, offensive shots sometimes are very powerful
• He was a good swimmer. We used to go to Hanuman VyayamShala and Osmania pools in summer. He also joined NCC
• Just like everyone, he liked movies and company with friends. He had a unique and loud laugh and enjoyed jokes.
• He was the only smoker among our close friends. Not an heavy smoker but at least one a day. Speaking about smoking, one of our friends at college was a "chain" smoker. We were teasing him to be "belt" smoker as "chain" has atleast some gaps in between.
• Vinay was very emotional. His mood would hop from a big laugh to tears in seconds. Once he messed up an exam and it took several hours for us to bring him to normalcy. He had tears, talked about suicide and finally we had to drag him to a movie.

With Vinay, we watched several movies like (Shammi Kapoor movies, Arth, ArdhSathya, Rajesh Khanna movies etc.). One of the movies we saw umpteen # of times was Namak Halaal. Vinay used to imitate Parveen Babi's dance in our college parties, the famous number .. Javan Jaane Man .. Haseen DhilRuba … One night Shashank, Sunder wanted to watch a movie in Prabhat. We went to Vinay's house in the night. He was'nt there and Shashank lied to his parents that we came to pick a book from Vinay. Shashank and Sunder started saying that we have an exam next day and how this book was essential. They searched anxiously for the book and found it in his study room. We all thanked obediently and presented a "relieved" look by holding the precious book. Then we slowly we sneeked into Prabhat to watch the Shammi Kapoor starrer. During the interval, Shashank and Sunder stood up to stretch under bright lights. Vinay's parents were sitting in the row behind us. We didn't have nerve to greet them and they were smiling.

In 1983, we all planned for a trip to Goa. Sunder couldn't make it as he had rowing competition somewhere in West Bengal. He was arguing that rowing certificate was important after college, I need to check with him about the certificate again when I see him this summer. Shashank, Vinay, Pankaj, Poorna and myself finally went to Goa (my uncle was living there in Goa and we stayed in his house). I don't remember all the details but I and Vinay had a big fight (almost a physical fight) at Goa. We were so close, that we never hesitated to fight each other. Twenties is something that will bring out your full personality. Nowadays I don't feel that fighting closeness (not even verbal) with any of my friends.

Our College Trip to Araku Valley .. April 1984 ..

During our final year, we had some funds for a educational trip. In order to raise some more funds, we planned a fund-raiser by arranging special show of Rishi Kapoor starrer "Khel Khel Mein". The planning went well and of all the titles, we picked "Khel Khel Mein" after several iterations (strengths - suspense, songs - Hamko Thumne Dekha, Thumko Hamne Dekha .. Kaise .., college setting, etc..). The ticket was Rs 5.00 and we picked Chemical Engg Auditorium. It was a huge sellout and Pankaj/Hanuman played key role in organizing event.

Vinay was reluctant to go on the educational trip. I don't remember the reasons but we kind of pestered him to come. Finally he packed his clothes and joined the class on a separate dedicated bogey to Araku. Train journey was fun with late night chais at train stations, songs, picking on Girish Karnad look alike Vidhya Shankar. Girls also participated (first time in 4 yrs & it was final yr of Engg.) in the fun with songs, getting to know our names, .. That's different class altogether.. for namesake it was co-ed. Finally we reached Araku .. and it was beautiful ..We liked silent valleys, tribes, greenery, etc.. Vinay was always with us doing his things .. One thing I remember was a dance he did imitating JayaPrada when no one was around ..He was wearing a wheatish colored T shirt with Caption "Let Me Be Me" and we all wonder the weird coincidence about his death and the caption.

We came back from Araku and our train to Hyderabad was around 3:15PM. I think it was lunch time, when I observed Vinu mama slowly sipping away Thumps-Up sitting next to me. We were with girls in a Vizag restaurant. He apparently promised one of the girls that he would treat her at the restaurant. He and I always used to have financial transactions .. He asked me to lend him Rs 10/-. I was cursing him on how he should have checked his balances before promising treats and I never realised that it would be my last transaction with Vinay.

After 5 minutes, one batch finished lunch and was heading towards beach as we had around 3 hours for our train to Hyd. Since Hyderabadies are always beach-hungry, we never wanted to waste even a minute. The group that finished lunch got into auto and there was one vacancy in the auto. They asked Vinay and he readily got into the auto.

I wish I remember his final good-bye but I don't. We took the next auto and reached Beach within 15 minutes. It was sunny and supposed to be full moon day. It was a high tide afternoon and none of the Vizag locals were swimming including fishermen. There was no warning and guidance for tourists like us. No one was supposed to get into the beach that afternoon due to high tides.

One group of our friends including Vinay did venture into the beach and our group was taking pictures about 1/2 mile apart. Now and then I glanced at the swimming group and it looked like all of them were staring at the ocean. Something was different about Pankaj's look and stare into the ocean. Then someone came running saying that Vinay is missing. Apparently Pramod, Poorna and Vinay went swimming into the ocean. Due to the high tide, all of them had to turn back after going some distance. At one point, all 3 were visible fighting waves in order to make it to the shore. Pramod and Poorna made it eventually and Vinay couldn't.

The following week, month, year, years were very tough on all our classmates.

The incident happened 22 yrs ago on April 24th, 1984 at 12:15PM. We still miss our dearest friend Vinay and prey for His Peaceful Soul.

Some days like April 24th never vanishes from our hearts and memories. I tend to recollect fun memories about Vinu Mama, who was full with life till his last moments..

The year after his death, we commemorated a plaque at the Elect. Engg. Dept and at Badi Chowdi, Vinay's friends (Sharad, Anand) conducted Tennicot competitions for youth.

I know we are all busy with our daily battles about work, family, kids education, Hyd real estate investments, career promotions, etc.. We need to take a moment and remember Vinu Mama and try to live our lives richer, as who knows a empty spot in an auto might lead to no-return one way road for good ..

I know it is sad and long, but still worthwhile reading about Vinay and our memories of him.

Best Regards,
Venkat Aekka

అలా మొదలైంది

బాల్యమంతా చదువు బాధ్యతలు

యువ్వనంలొ ఉద్యోగ ప్రయత్నాలు

ఆమ్మ నాన్న ఆశిర్వాదంతో ఒక ఉద్యోగం

పెద్దల దీవెనెల తో పెళ్ళి కొడుకు అవతారం

ఒక చేతిలొ గాండీవం, మరొ చేతిలొ రథ సారథ్యం

జీవిత మహాభారతం లొ రంగ ప్రవేశం

సిటీ చివర ఒక సింగల్ బెడ్రూం ఫ్లాట్

ఆందులొ గగణానికి అందుకునే కలలు

మొదటి సారిగ "ఆమెరికా పయనం" వ్యూహ రచనలు

ఎర్పోర్టలొ సాగ నంపులు, అత్త మామల హగ్గులు బొకేలు

కన్న వారి కన్నీలు, తొబుట్టువుల పొగడ్తలు

సతిమని కౌగిలి, సూట్ భుజం పై వాలిన మల్లె పూలు

రోజు కాల్ చెయ్యాలి అంటు వాగ్దానాలు, ఫ్లైట్ అటెండెంట్ అనౌస్మెంటులు

ఫ్లైట్ కిటికి లొ నుంచి అన్ని అరణ్యాలు ఎడారులు

నీలొ పొంగి పొతున్న అశలు అశయాలు

పొర్ట్ అఫ్ ఎంట్రి స్తాంపులు, గుండెళ్ళో దడ దడలు

ఆడిఒ ఇంటెర్యూలు, ఫేసె-టు-ఫేసె ఫేలురులు

తిరిగి రెఫెరెన్స్ సుబ్మిషన్లు, చివరిగా ఆఫర్ లెటర్ హైఫెయ్లు

నీ భార్యకు మద్రాస్ వీసా ముహుర్తం, అత్త మామలకు అంతులేని ఆనందం

చిలుకూరి వీసా వేంకటేశ్వర ప్రదక్షణం, అల్లుడికి పుల్లా రెడ్డి స్వీట్ దక్షిణం

రోజు ఇంటావిడకు ఆఫిస్ పాలిటిక్స్ రీరన్ కాలక్షేపం

ముక్కు మొహం తెలియని బాసుల పేరులు ఆవిడకు కంఠస్తం

అమెరికా ప్రయాణంలొ ఒక కొత్త మలుపు, "నెను తండ్రిని కాబోతున్నాను" కాస్సెపు విరామం

డాక్టర్ల చుట్టు ప్రదక్షణం, అత్త మామలు ఇంట్లొ అకస్మాతుగా ప్రత్యక్షం

క్లబ్ హౌసులొ క్రెడల్ సెరిమొని, తర్వాత చికాగొ నయాగరాల జర్ని

బావ మరిదికి ఒక ఇపాడ్, మరదలుకు ఒక ఇ20

భార్యకు ఇటి టెస్టింగ్ ట్రేనింగ్, అదే కంపని లొ ఎంట్రి లెవెల్ ఉద్యోగం

ఆఫిస్ ఒక్కటైన, దారులు వెరు వెరు

మొగుడు ఎదురొస్తె భార్య మొదటి సారి తలదింపుడు

అమెరికాలొ ఇంక ఎన్నొ విజయాలు వీరస్వర్గాలు

ఇల్లు, స్టాక్స్, గ్రీన్ కార్డు, కుమాన్లు, అలోహాలు

మెల్లగ ఒక్కరొక్కరిగా స్నేహితులకు "అల్ విదా"లు

ఇక మిగిలినవి పిల్లల చదువులు పాఠాలు

ఎలా మొదలైనా, ఇది న్ అర్ ఇ జీవిత సారాంశం

- వేంకట్ ఏక్క

Smt Aekka SakkuBai (1936-2010)

My mother, Smt. Aekka Sakkubai, breathed her last at the age of 74 on November 18, 2010,  at 2:30 p.m. at our house in Vidyanagar Hyderabad.

She raised her seven children to be successful. We grew to be engineers, a banker, schoolteachers and a social worker. Though she only studied until the fourth grade and only knew to sign her name (a skill that took her five minutes to do),  our mother made sure all of her children were educated in good schools without compromise.

Mom (Amma in Telugu)  came from a wealthy family and was married off at the age of 12. My father's side was strong in education. My father completed his civil engineering diploma during Nizam Era in Urdu. My brothers and sisters and I grew up in Aliabad in the Old City, a mile from Charminar on the way to Falaknuma Palace. Due to an early split in family property, my father had to move out of the ancestral house. He built a new house close by under difficult financial circumstances.

During my childhood, there were moments of  poverty -- sometimes we finished off our meals with just chili powder and cooking oil . The financial planner under these extreme conditions was my mother, who had neither a counting nor an accounting  background. For one of my cousin's marriage, all my brothers including me got flowers print cotton shirts. After many years, I learnt that my mother instead of buying from an expensive cloth store, she bought white cotton cloth and got flowers printed at a sari printing facility. She was extremely good with money matters and understood interest rates and mind-boggling chit funds. Frugality guided her decision-making.

I remember her typical day would start at 5:30 a.m. and she worked unflaggingly till 3:30 p.m. Her workday included heating water for showers, tea, breakfasts, packing lunches for seven kids, a special meal for my father, cleaning clothes and dishes and finally getting time for her own shower and prayer and a quiet, small meal at 3:30 in the veranda sunlight.

During the summers of my childhood, she would volunteer to make the yearly supply of chili powder for our relatives. It used to be a days-long project to  pulverize the dried red chilis into powder using round wooden posts (rokali in telugu). The supervisor for Operation Chili Powder was always my mother. I used to hate those days because children couldn’t play on the verandah and could not walk into the house without having tearing, irritating eyes. Throughout my life, I never heard my mother say, ”I am tired today”. She would face down big projects like summer cleanups or house painting and, without procrastination, immediately tackle the work for hours.  

My grandparents were from another Old City bastion called Dhoolpet - place notorious for illicit liquor in Hyderabad. Our summer vacation was mostly spent in Dhoolpet. The journey from Aliabad to Dhoolpet was always interesting. Those days in the Old City, we used to have rickshaw pullers. My mother, a brother and two sisters would sit on the main seat. Our eldest brother used to stand on the rickshaw top -- the premium seating. Three of us brothers would sit on the tray below the seat and hold the seat rings. I wish we had cameras those days. It would have been an fantastic visual . The journey would almost take an hour to travel 5 kilometers. We would pass all the important Nizami milestones -- Mecca Masjid, Laad Bazaar, Mir Chowk, Hussaini Alam, Purana Pul and Jaali Hanuman before finally reaching Dhoolpet. The journey was always marred with interruptions like us getting down to push the rickshaw during steep inclines. Once we arrived at our grandparents’ home in Dhoolpet, it would take the next half-hour to bring our numb legs to life.

My mother had an amazing presence. During my childhood, if she had gone to the city and was late coming home, our house would be dull like an abandoned house . I used to wait at the door anxiously, looking out at the street.  Suddenly, she would emerge from the bus stand, her walk home brightening up the whole street. She had a calming, exuberant presence and could ease everyone’s anxieties.  

She was also persistent. During our house construction in 1975, she wanted to change the staircase plan. She discussed her plans with the site supervisors. Finally, everyone, including my engineer dad, had to agree with her suggestion.

She was also the most organized person. She would  recycle almost everything, making quilts out of saris, transforming wood from chairs into beds and making innovative use of boxes. Our typical family vacation when I was a child was to either Yadagiri Gutta or Tirupati. She would pack for everyone. During the journey, if you needed anything – a  safety pin, comb, hot tea, a snack – she would provide it.

Amma had many strengths, especially courage. You might think, “What does a housewife know of courage?”  The role she played in life was as challenging as that of a war general. She was like a rock in the face of calamities,  dealing with her daughter's unarranged marriage in 1980, my father’s psychological bouts,  the loss of her brother and, finally, my father's sudden death in 1996.

Amma always had a giving hand despite her own struggling finances. She always fought for the underprivileged in family and beyond. She would give them comfort, a listening ear and as much financial help as she could afford. She could detect worries just by looking into someone’s face. She took a keen interest in fixing marriage alliances, mostly representing girls' families. She also gave the gift of her eyes to help others. In one of the free eye camps that I sponsored few years back, Amma signed up to donate her eyes after her death. Because of her generous act, someone can see today. That is her last gift to this world.

When she visited me in the United States in 1997, she would fold the kitchen paper towel after drying her hands. She said, “How can you throw away a precious thing like this in this country?”. I still remember after  I picked her up from the airport and we sat down to eat at our dining table. Suddenly, I see her hand reach to serve me rice and curry. Having lived in this country for so long, I had forgotten  I have someone other than my wife to serve me dinner in my house. I realized that it was my mother sitting next to me and she raised us even before our wives entered our lives. In the United States, she would visit my friends. If anyone was looking for a job, she would ask me to find a job for them. I would reply that in order to get a job, one has to have additional skills like good communications, maintain eye contact and a strong handshake showing confidence. She would immediately cite a couple of my other friends who don't interact much and question how they got a job without having such skills.

She was very jovial and open to listen to our personal and professional issues, including layoffs. She was equally fond of politics and ETV serials

She never hesitated to stand by someone during their bad days.  She took a personal interest in my friends' families and their children. As a mother-in-law, she was very commanding and always above petty kitchen politics  with her five daughters-in-law. She was  empathetic and compassionate. She lived to see her granddaughters marry, too.

Every month, she would plan a visit to the Old City bank to draw my father's pension. I accompanied her once during my trip to India. It was indeed a full-day job. She would take me to see my cousin who fills out bank withdrawal forms. I offered to help, but she said, "You don't know. It has to be in a particular order and only he can fill out the form". Then we wait in a long line at the bank until it is finally her turn to draw money. In the evening, she would celebrate with her sister-in-law and my cousin in the Old City for a successful pension withdrawal. She was always contended & self-sufficient with finances.

She had excellent memory. She would recognize her medications just by the colors and patterns of the medication strip. Once while in Hyderabad, I went to the nearby medical shop to get her prescription filled. She looked at the medication strip for some time, then said, “This is not mine.” I went to the shop and the pharmacist apologized for giving me the wrong medication.
One of my proudest accomplishments was that, despite living in the United States for the past 12 years, I celebrated almost every New Year’s with Amma in India. While in US, I used to talk to her almost daily.

I learned many important life lessons from my mom:

• Never lose courage in the face of calamity. Always remain calm and tackle a problem head-on instead of running away or avoiding it. Her life was filled with new situations and challenges. She  always approached these  courageously. She never had a sleepless night. No matter what, she always fell into a deep sleep within seconds.
• Have empathy and compassion for the downtrodden and poor. My mother once traveled by road to Shirdi. She was sad a whole week after her return. I asked her the reason and she said she couldn't bear the sights of poverty she passed on her route, especially in Maharashtra
• Have fun in life. My mother  was the first one to organize a party and never missed an opportunity to attend marriages, birthdays and other celebrations. Even in the midst of life’s problems,  she would surround  herself with her children, laughter and celebrations.

• Always love your family members,  no matter what .She was the only girl in a  family with seven  sons. She always looked out for them and their children.
• It is very expensive to maintain enmity.  Make every effort to clear up misunderstandings and always take the first step to befriend an upset friend or relative.
Her only solace in life was God and she was a big devotee of Lord Shiva. My father introduced her to Kundalini yoga, Hare Krishna, etc.. All her life, she  fasted for Ekadashi (Lunar 10th day) and I remember that she would have a sumptuous lunch for Dwadashi (Lunar 11th day) after prolonged pooja and 24 hours of fasting every fortnight. Many said she died on an auspicious Ksheerabdi Dwadasi day in divine Karthika maasam due to her spiritual lifestyle.

Though it is painful to accept that she is gone, mom had a full life, one of challenges, courage and lots of fun. Prolonging her life would have been excruciatingly painful for her and all of us because of her medical condition.

God's greatest gift to mankind is Mother and she will always be in her children’s hearts while on earth or in heaven.

- Venkat Aekka
please add your comments or send feedback to: vaekka@yahoo.com

Famous Indians

Amarajeevi – SivaRathri connection

From my childhood, I wanted to fast on Sivarathri day. During my school years, I used to make big "early morning" announcements that I would fast along with my parents. I usually start off well in the morning, ready to say "YES" to typical Sivarathi question "Are you fasting today?" Somehow thoughts of food, hunger would finally overwhelm me and meekly would go in for "fast-break" @3:00PM. This used to happen almost every year. It was always an insurmountable target all my life.

Couple of years back, I tried again - with some peer pressure (friend visiting me from India). I took up this personal maha-yagna called "Upavasam" on SivaRathri.

For SivaRathri Day, I was on my ritualistic annual SivaRathri Journey - "Upavasam". Late in the evening, somehow I started thinking about Amarajeevi Potti Sreeramulu. If I can barely make it thru' a day, how could have he made it thru' 58 days and eventually die for the cause of a separate state for Telugu people.

What I accomplished yesterday was 1/58th ( 2%) of Amarajeevi's penance for my own personal cause - one day package deal with Lord Siva for betterment of my personal life. Imagine the cause in Amarajeevi's mind, his physical state thru' 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, .. Imagine every second on the 57th day, where he is fighting an internal battle and calming down "hunger outcries" within himself by a dream called "Andhra Pradesh" for Telugu People.

I googled on "fast undo death" and all you get results like "began fast undo death", "continues into 3rd day", "relay hunger strike" (innovative version wherein no one dies eventually). The only hero is Amarajeevi to successfully not make it to 58th day for the cause of "Telugu People".

Excerpt from an article on Potti Sreeramulu's life and his last days …
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Born to Potti Guravayya and Mahalakshmamma in Madras on March 16, 1901, Sriramulu had his education in Madras. His ancestors, who belonged to Guntur district, had migrated to Madras in search of greener pastures. He did his diploma in sanitary engineering from the Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute in Bombay. He worked in the G.I.P. Railway in Madras and Bombay for four years for a salary of Rs.250 a month.
In 1928, his wife gave birth to a child and died. Within a few days, the baby also died, leaving him grief-stricken. The subsequent death of his mother made him lose interest in worldly pursuits and paved the way for his entry into and active involvement in the non-violent movements led by Gandhiji.
On August 15, 1951, Swamy Seetharam launched a fast-unto-death for achieving the demand for a separate Andhra state. The Central Government did not take notice of the agitation. The fast continued for 35 days. Sensing danger, Acharya Vinobha Bhave apprised Nehru of the situation. The two leaders met Seetharam and made him give up the fast, promising to get statehood for Andhra. Nehru, however, did not keep his promise.
Potti Sriramulu decided to undertake a fast-unto-death. He began the fast in the house of Bulusu Sambamurthy in Madras city on October 19, 1952. Several people thought that this would be another fast that would be given up after some days. After 20 days his health deteriorated.
Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu used to visit the hunger-strike camp daily and inquire about his health. The Gandhian, Yerneni Subrahmanyam, used to shed tears secretly seeing his plight. Though Sriramulu became physically weak, he was mentally strong and declined to give up his fast.
On the 56th day, he passed into a coma and a couple of days later, he developed breathing problems. On December 15, 1952, Sriramulu breathed his last, after 58 days of fasting. On the intimation of Yerneni Subrahmanyam, the legendary singer, Ghantasala, and freedom-fighter and singer, Moparru Dasu, rushed to the place. They composed and rendered a song in honour of the immortal leader.
The body was taken in a procession. When the procession reached Mount Road, thousands of people joined and raised slogans hailing Sriramulu. Later, they went into a frenzy and resorted to destruction of public property. The news spread like wildfire and created an uproar among the people in far off places like Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Eluru, Guntur, Tenali, Ongole and Nellore.
Seven people were killed in police firing in Anakapalle and Vijayawada. The popular agitation continued for three to four days disrupting normal life in Madras and Andhra regions. On December 19, 1952, Nehru, agreed to grant statehood to Andhras
The State of Andhra was formed on October 1, 1953, with Kurnool as its capital. On November 1, 1956, Andhra Pradesh was formed with Hyderabad as its capital.
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The difference between then and now is our political leaders first think about "What is in it for me ?". Instead Amarajeevi made an unprecedented down payment - his life, at a prime age of 51. As you might know, Amarajeevi relocated to Sabarmathi Ashram and worked with Gandhi in the freedom struggle. Amarajeevi took an approach wherein he would make an upfront sacrifice - "his life", to get national attention. Great leaders like Pandit Nehru started seriously thinking about AP and announced state for Telugu people within 4 days of his death ( state was formed formally on Oct 1, 1953 with Kurnool as capital ). Eventually we got our state on November 1st, 1956.

I checked on google, Amarajeevi is one of the very few (IRA leader Bobby Sands, Cuban revolutionary, etc.) in the history of mankind who died fasting for a cause. We should all feel proud to live in a state called "Andhra Pradesh" and I personally started remembering his great sacrifice on Maha ShivaRathri every year

We have taken pains to name districts, stadiums, airports after leader's maternal uncles, speakers, state ministers. He gave us a state for Telugus and in return we didn't do anything to commemorate him correctly. Naming Nellore district after Amarajeevi is a good first step.

Telugu Kavitha - Tolstoy KathaNaayakudu