Leaders, officials pay floral tributes to Jagjivan Ram across Tirupati

The 111th birth anniversary of noted freedom fighter and social justice leader Babu Jagjivan Ram has been observed across the city on Sunday, with leaders, officials and educationists paying floral tributes to his statues and portraits.

At a programme held in Bairagipatteda, Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra, along with local MLA Arani Srinivasulu, District Collector Dr S Venkateswar, Joint Collector R Govinda Rao and RDO B Rama Mohan, offered floral tributes to Jagjivan Ram’s statue.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the nation should remember the services of Jagjivan Ram, who served as a Union Minister for nearly 30 years, handling key portfolios such as Defence, Agriculture and Labour. He noted that Jagjivan Ram was a Member of Parliament for about five decades and became a Cabinet Minister at a young age in Jawaharlal Nehru’s government, dedicating his life to public service.

Ravindra said Jagjivan Ram’s efforts towards social equality and the upliftment of weaker sections remain significant.

The need for Scheduled Castes and backward communities to achieve further progress and said several welfare programmes are being implemented in the State under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for their development.

He called upon people to work towards social progress inspired by Jagjivan Ram’s ideals.

District Collector Dr Venkateswar said everyone has a responsibility to follow and promote the principles advocated by Jagjivan Ram for national development and social equality.

TDP and Jana Sena leaders M Sugunamma, G Narasimha Yadav, Rudrakoti Sadasivam, Pasupuleti Hariprasad, and others attended the programme.

At Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV), Vice Chancellor Prof V Uma paid tributes to Jagjivan Ram and highlighted the role of social reformers in building a just society.

She said social reformers strive to prevent others from facing the hardships they themselves experienced. Deans Prof C Vani, Prof T Sudha, incharge Registrar Dr Geetha Vani and others were present.

SV Medical College Principal Dr G Ravi Prabhu and Ruia Hospital Superintendent Dr B Manohar, along with others, paid floral tributes and recalled Jagjivan Ram’s contributions to the nation. A similar programme was held at Sri Venkateswara Vedic University, where Vice Chancellor Prof Rani Sadasiva Murthy, Dean Dr Phaniraja Sastry and Finance Officer Phani Yagneswara Yajulu participated.

APSPDCL CMD Sivasankar Lotheti said that during his tenure as Union Agriculture Minister, Jagjivan Ram worked tirelessly to address the country’s food shortage.

He added that as Defence Minister, Jagjivan Ram played a key role in handling issues related to Bangladesh with effective leadership.

Congress party leaders Goudaperu Chittibabu, D Rambhupal Reddy, Mangati Gopal Reddy, Tamatam Venkata Narasimhulu, K Muralikrishna and others garlanded the statue of Jagjivan Ram and cut a cake to mark the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, they recalled the invaluable services rendered by the leader to the nation.