Thousands gather to remember Paritala

Venkatapuram (Anantapur): Hundreds of supporters of Paritala Ravindra and the people of Penukonda region thronged Venkatapuram, the native village of Paritala, to pay their homage to him on the occasion of his 12th death anniversary.

A sea of humanity descended on the village where a Paritala Pylon was erected as the memorial of the man the people held dear. Cultural activities and speeches by visiting leaders marked the occasion.

Civil Supplies Minister Paritala Sunitha was the first to pay her respects at the Paritala Memorial Pylon where his mortal remains lay underneath.

Government chief whip and Rayadurgam MLA Kalva Srinivasulu addressing the crowd described the late Paritala as a man of the masses and a friend of the poor.

Even 12 years after his death the exodus of people from far and near to his native village speaks volumes of the man who strove for the upliftment of the poor and the have-nots. He said that mass marriages of the poor couples was and is a popular service to the have-nots.

TDP district president and Penukonda MLA B K Parthasaradhi said that the late Paritala’s widow Sunitha kept alive memories of her husband by continuing all the good works started by him.

He added that Ravindra for all practical purposes has not died but is living in the memories of people even a decade after his death.

MLC Yamini Bala, district in-charge and Health Minister Kamineni Sreenivas and Housing Minister Mrunalini and a host of ruling party functionaries and leaders paid their homage to the leader.