Birth centenary of late Dr Channa Reddy on Jan 13

Hyderabad: The 100th (Centenary) birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Dr Marri Channa Reddy will be observed on Sunday, 13th January, 2019 at his samadhi in the Channa Reddy Rock Garden, Indira Park from 9 am onward with floral tributes and bhajans. This will be followed by tributes to be paid by many eminent persons from different walks of life, informed former MLA Marri Shashidhar Reddy.

Hailing from Siripuram village in Vikarabad district he was born on this date in Pedda Mangalaram village, near Moinabad in a middle class family. Educated as a doctor he had a successful private practise but soon entered active politics as a freedom fighter, became the youngest Member of the Constituency Assembly, a minister in Hyderabad and AP, Union Cabinet Minister, twice CM of AP and Governor of 4 states. He made immense contributions at all levels during his long political career spanning for over five decades. He passed away while he was Governor of Tamil Nadu in December 1996.

Telangana gained recognition the world over after he led the first agitation for a separate state in 1969-71. This way he laid the foundation for the formation of a separate state in 2014.

He was solidly behind Indira Gandhi when the Congress party was split in 1978. On two occasions, he was able to lead the Congress to astounding victories in assembly elections in 1978 and 1989, when NTR was CM. He was one of the tallest leaders of the country, widely respected by people across the political spectrum. He was a remarkable figure of inspiration and guidance both at the state and national level. He always knew the pulse of the people. He never comprised on what he believed to be true and was prepared to make any sacrifice for it.

Several programmes to highlight his contributions in different field will be organised in the course of 2019, Shashidhar Reddy said.