В Срикалакуле установят памятник «Живу солдату, живу крестьянину»

A unique ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ statue will soon be installed on the premises of the Gandhi Mandir in Shanti Nagar, Srikakulam. The monument pays tribute to the twin pillars in region—soldiers guarding the nation’s borders and farmers working in the fields. The concept draws inspiration from the iconic slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,’ coined by former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War. One half of the statue depicts a soldier carrying a rifle, while the other portion features a farmer holding a plough. Work on the statue’s design and construction began on May 7, 2026, marking the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. Srikakulam MLA Gondu Shankar has directed Gandhi Mandir chairman Surangi Mohana Rao, convener Jami Bhimasankar, and coordinator M.V.S.S. Sastry to complete preparations for the unveiling scheduled in the first week of September 2026. Srikakulam District Ex-Servicemen Federation president Katakam Purnachandra Rao commended Mr. Shankar and the temple committee for initiating the project to highlight the contributions of soldiers and farmers. According to Mr. Rao, more than 40,000 personnel in the Indian Army hail from Srikakulam, placing the district among the top districts in Andhra Pradesh in terms of military representation. In Pedda Muraharipuram of Vajrapu Kotturu mandal, nearly every household has at least one member serving in the armed forces. Other areas, including Amadalavalasa, Sompeta, and the outskirts of Faridpet, also contribute a significant number of recruits to the defence forces. “The statue will serve as a prominent landmark in Srikakulam and inspire local youth to join the armed forces,” Mr. Rao said. Published - August 26, 2026 06:39 pm IST