Vavilala memorial project hangs fire

A M R V Prasad Sattenapalli: Vavilala Gopalakrishnaiah is fondly remembered by one and all as freedom fighter, legislator, statesman and leader of many an agitation including that of a massive movement for the Nagarjuna Sagar Project. Though he was elected as an MLA representing the undivided Communist Party of India, he was later elected as an independent candidate. The simple living Vavilala remained a bachelor and he did not own a house. He was also instrumental in starting Sarada Library at Sattenapalli. Kambala Venkateswra Rao, president of Vavilala Cultural Association, said that there must be some landmarks for Vavilala for the future generations to remember him forever. He recalled that when Vavilala died, the then Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu attended the funeral and allotted 10 acres for construction of a memorial for him. However, of the 10 acres, about 5.3 acres were taken away for constructing a school and junior college. In the remaining land, about 40 to 50 families settled down and built houses, leaving only a small bit of land for the Samadhi of Vavilala. Venkateswara Rao said that a memorial with a park and a statue of Vavilala should be constructed at the place as a mark of tribute to the great leader. CPI leader Narisetti Guravaiah said that a Samadhi was built for Vavilala there. He said that a park could be constructed in the memory of Vavilala at that place. The Samadhi of Vavilala is neglected and the place is covered by bushes and surrounded by drainage water. During night, it becomes a centre for anti-social activities. On any given day, at least a group of tipplers are found drinking booze at that place. People moan that this is nothing but an insult to the great leader. However, the families living on the land should not be displaced and they must be given rights over the land as they have been living there for the last 30 years, CPM leader Vijay Sagar. Sagar said that it is unjust to construct a park there throwing the people out that too in the name of Vavilala who strove all his life for the welfare of people. When Kutumba Venkatapati was the MLA, a building was constructed at the place for a junior college. However, the building was abandoned when the students did not join the junior college. The officials remained mute spectators as people took away the doors and windows of the building.