NTR still a hero for all time

He continues to stand as giant personality 

Plans afoot for installation of the tallest statues in Telugu states and America

Patibandla Srinivas

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India’s greatest actor of all time Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) will get another record in near future if the plans come true. Already the legendary actor has created Guinness Record when he became the Chief Minister in a matter of nine months after launching his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982. It is an all-time record in Indian politics. No leader or political party has created such a record in history so far. The NTR’s tallest statues will be installed in two Telugu states and United States of America soon. So far, the leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar’s statues are only installed in India and outside the country also.

The TDP celebrated its centenary celebrations grandly last year. Several senior leaders and eminent persons in various walks of life formed NTR centenary celebrations committee to give great honours to the legendary actor and politician. The committee conducted public meetings in two Telugu states—Hyderabad and Vijayawada—by inviting people who worked with NTR and also presenting awards to them. On this occasion, the NTR centenary celebrations committee led by former MLC TD Janardhan announced setting up of a 100-foot statue in Hyderabad and Amaravati.   

The centenary celebrations committee is receiving overwhelming support from various sections of people and the fans of NTR across the globe after the announcement. Following the response, the committee is making plans to install the tallest statues in Telangana capital Hyderabad and Andhra’s capital Amaravati.  

Actually, the budget for construction of the tallest statue is a challenging task to the centenary celebrations committee. The state government of Andhra Pradesh planned a 60-foot statue at Neerukonda village under the purview of Amaravati capital in the past. But the proposal did not materialise when the TDP lost power in the 2019 elections. The designs were finalised to install the statue on the hill top at Neerukonda village. The project would have water bodies, parks and tourism attractions including shopping facilities in the total area of 200 acres. Then the government made plans to invite donors to take part in the project. 

Actually, the then TDP government finalised the designs to construct Ambedkar statue along with NTR statue in the name of Smurtivanam honouring their services to the nation. But the present YSR Congress government changed the Amaravati capital plans and installed a 125- foot statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Vijayawada changing the entire plan. In the present conditions the fate of the Ambedkar project remains uncertain.

But the NTR centenary celebrations committee is making plans involving the fans of the actor across the globe. Apart from this, the committee has plans to approach the two State governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for financial support to install the statue of NTR.

Presently, the NTR statues are visible in various villages, towns, cities across the two states. The number of statues and memorials are unveiled from NTR’s birth place Nimmakuru village to his memorial Hyderabad by party leaders and workers.     

There are no boundaries for admiration and love for NTR. Sarat Kamineni installed an 8-foot Panchaloha statue in West Covis in California almost nine years ago. It’s the first statue that was installed in the United States of America. One more statue will also be installed at Edison near New Jersey in USA soon. Actually, the proposal was approved by the civic administration also but it is yet to become reality. Kurnool-based NRI and film producer TG Viswa Prasad has taken up the project. As per the records, presently Ramanuja statue 216ft and Ambedkar statue 175ft are the tallest statues in the two Telugu states. The statue of any other politician or cinema star is more than 100 feet. So, NTR is going to create another record and will continue as a giant personality in the two Telugu states.