VIJAYAWADA: The Sarvodaya Trust formed by the Krishna District Freedom Fighters Association (KDFFA) would erect a freedom fighters’ memorial complex with the cooperation of the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and
Memorial Trust of Gujarat.
This is cited as the first-of-its-kind freedom fighters museum in AP that would highlight the life as also statues of freedom fighters from the state. The Sarvodaya Trust marking Azadi Ka Amruth Mahotsav would give a facelift to the Gandhi Vignana Mandiram (GVM) by installing a 30ft structure comprising Mahatma Gandhi mural paintings and statue. The project is nearing completion and will be unveiled soon.
Chairman of the Sarvodaya Trust, Dr Mohan Prasad, said he visited Kirthi Mandir, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi in Porbandar, Gujarat, and also the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. He met Atul Pandya, director of the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust and sought its guidance as also inputs for the development of the Gandhi Vijnana Mandiram in Vijayawada. Dr Prasad said that under the modernisation of present Gandhi Vijnana Mandiram building, permanent exhibits depicting famous revolutions of the world like the French Revolution, the American Revolution, the Cuban Revolution etc will be displayed on the top floor. On the second floor, permanent exhibits depicting the Indian freedom movement like the Quit India, the Dandi March, the boycott of foreign goods etc will be on show.
On the first floor, permanent exhibits on famous incidents and struggles of the Indian freedom movement in Andhra Pradesh and specially in the combined Krishna district will be displayed.
Dr Prasad said the Freedom complex will have a museum with bust-size statues of the Krishna district freedom fighters in one hall and of Andhra Pradesh freedom fighters on the other. The new building will have a separate
hall with an in-house mini theatre for screening documentaries and short films of the freedom movement and other events of national importance, aimed at educating and motivating students and other visitors.
The Sarvodaya trust was centrally located in 0.48 acres of land allocated here by the state government in 1984.
The idea of Gandhi Vignana Mandiram was conceived in 1986 and the foundation stone for the building was laid by then President Giani Zail Singh on March 10 that year. With extensive support from the families of freedom
fighters and philanthropists, a four-storied building was constructed. It was inaugurated on January 20, 1988 by then President R Venkataraman.
The GVM freedom complex will be developed on the same lines of Sabarmati Ashram with its guidance and support, Dr Prasad said.
