KOYURU (VISAKHAPATNAM DIST):THE sleepy tribal hamlet of KD Peta Koyyuru mandal in the Visakhapatnam agency was a beehive of activities on Sunday as big preparations were on at the samadhis of freedom fighter Alluri Seetharama Raju and his close aide Gatam Dora to celebrate the 119th birth anniversary of the patriarch of Rampa rebellion. The government which celebrates the occasion as a state event appears to be oblivious about its responsibility towards the family members of the tribal revolutionaries who have laid their life during the freedom struggle.
Just around 10 km away at Nadipalem, the descendants of Gatam Dora, considered the right hand of Seetharama Raju, are languishing in utter poverty. The slogan ‘Manyam veerudu’ that rend the air during the celebrations each time seems to be just another annual ritual, when someone sees the abject penury in which Bodu Dora, the grandson of Gatam Dora, is living.
“I am a farmer and can make `1,000 on average a month from my fields. Every year, during the birth anniversary of Raju , my family is invited. They garland us, mince no words while praising my family’s contributions to this country. But, that is all of it,” says 67-year-old Bodu Dora, showing his home, a thatched dilapidated house.
Asked about any government held, Boda laughs.”My grandfather laid down his life with Seetharama Raju. His brother, Raju’s aide too, was deported to Andaman after the rebellion. Post-independence, he became an MP from then Chintapalle constituency. After his death (Mallu Dora) in 1972, our family caught in penury and never recouped it since then,” says Bodu Dora.
“All that left was a five-acre land. Still, I till it to earn my bread. But, you know, how profitable agriculture is these days. My grandpa lived and died for people, he taught us not to expect anything from any body,” says Bodu Dora, pointing at a tree just behind his house, adding that under that tree, Seetharama Raju, along with his aides Gatam and Mallu, used to plan strategies to defeat the British. “But, I will not beg before the government. They must understand,”he says, showing the weapons his grandpa Gatam Dora used to use during the rebellion.
“I love this place (the tree). I feel proud to show this place and these weapons of my grandfather to visitors. I spend my free time here.” he adds.
Bodu’s house is inaccessible to road, water and basic amenities. The family’s repeated requests to the government to grant a pump-set for cultivation fell on the deaf years. Two daughters of Bodu have been knocking the doors of people’s representatives including Minister Ch Ayyannapatrudu and MP M Srinivasa Rao, seeking help-a house or a piece of land.