Historic Bapatla Town Hall Turns 121
As part of the celebrations, organisers released pamphlets on the history of the Town Hall and garlanded the statue of Telugu Talli
VIJAYAWADA: The historic Bapatla Town Hall, regarded as the centre of the town's socio-political and cultural life, marked its 121st anniversary on Friday, with speakers recalling its role in the freedom movement and the campaign for a separate Andhra state.
Addressing the celebrations organised by the Forum for Better Bapatla, municipal commissioner M. Hasini said the Town Hall was the birthplace of several landmark movements that shaped the region's history. She noted that the idea of linguistic states emerged from discussions held at the venue in 1913 and that the demand for a separate Telugu-speaking state gained momentum there.
As part of the celebrations, organisers released pamphlets on the history of the Town Hall and garlanded the statue of Telugu Talli.
Speakers highlighted the heritage value of the century-old landmark, recalling that it was inaugurated on July 17, 1905, by the then Guntur district collector Brodie. The building was constructed to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII, then Emperor of India, with contributions from the people of Bapatla.
They also recalled that several national leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad and C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), addressed public meetings at the Town Hall during the freedom struggle, making it a prominent centre of nationalist activity.
Forum secretary Dr P.C. Sai Babu, Women's Degree College principal Dr K. Nagamani, lecturers, students and members of the Forum for Better Bapatla attended the programme.