Potti Sreeramulu was an engineer by profession & worked with the Great Indian Peninsular Railway before joining Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram.
Gandhi is said to have remarked of him, “If only I have eleven more followers like Sreeramulu I will win freedom [from British rule] in a year.”
Between 1946 & 1948, he carried out three fasts in Nellore for the temple entry of Dalits.He also promoted khadi & village industries
Telugu-speaking people wanted a separate state & Sreeramulu started a fast on 19 October 1952.
Even though Nehru assured support he continued because of a lack of a formal statement. His fast created a lot of public unrest.
Finally, he died on 15 December 1952 after about 58 days of his fast.On 29 December, Nehru announced a separate Andhra state.
He was given the title, “Amarajeevi” for his sacrifice.Accordingly, on 1 October 1953, the Andhra Pradesh State was formed.
Nellore district has been changed as Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District on 4th June, 2008