Ongole District was renamed Prakasam District in 1972 to cherish the fond memory of late Andhra Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu born in the District.
Tangutri Prakasam was born on August 23, 1872 at Kanaparthi village in Ongole Distt. in Andhra Pradesh. After higher education, Prakasam entered the profession of law and set up practice at Ongole and later at Rajahmundry in a bid to widen his clientele. In 1904,Prakasam sailed for England to qualify himself for the Bar. On return he started practice at the Madras bar becoming before long, one of the leaders of the Madras Bar commanding a lucrative practice.
The freedom movement of Andhra, in early 1920s found a great champion in T.Prakasam who was a rare combination of a great lawyer, journalist, nationalist and a politician. It is no wonder that his lifelong exertion in such diverse fields in the service of nation has earned him the honour of Andhra Kesari conferred on him by the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Responding to Gandhiji's call, Prakasam gave up his legal practive and led the great Gandhian upsurge in that part of the country. He became President of the Andhra Provincial Congress Committee in 1921. He led the Simon Commission Boycott in 1928 in Madras City and virtually bared his chest when a British Bayonet was pointed at him.
He started a Nationalist Daily 'Swarajya' in 1921. Within a short time not only did it rise in circulation phenomenally, but there did arise a persistent clamour for Telugu and Tamil editions of the daily. When the Congress got into power in 1937. Prakasam became the Revenue Minister and initiated many progressive measures.
Later in 1946 he became the Chief Minister of the Composite Madras State and remained in office for about 13 months setting in motion a spate of revolutionary reforms. On October 1, 1953, the Andhra State came into being and Andhra Kesari was prevailed upon to heard the first Andhra Ministry. His administration at Kurnool was packed with significant events. To crown them all, he declared general amnesty for over 2,000 condemned criminals to mark the State's first anniversary in 1954. Prakasam was responsible for establishing Sri Venkateswara University in Tirupathi, introduction of water supply schemes and projects in the new State and construction of a barrage across the Krishna.
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