East Godavari News Online : Mrs Dokka Seethamma, born in 1841, was the daughter of Anappandi Bhavani Sankar from Mandapeta in Ramachandrapuram Taluk, East Godavari District. She lost her mother in childhood and was married to Jagganna from Lankala gannavaram.
Seethamma became renowned for her commitment to providing food to anyone in need, regardless of caste or creed, earning her the title of Nirathannadhatri.
Once, her dedication was tested by the local official during a flood caused by the Godavari river. Disguised as an untouchable, he called for Seethamma, asking for food. Despite her husband’s warnings against crossing the river at night, Seethamma bravely crossed it with a bowl of food.
Upon receiving the meal, the ruler revealed his identity and, impressed by her dedication, awarded her an Inam to support her continued efforts to provide free food to both the wealthy and the poor. Several Maharajas and Zamindars, who also disguised themselves to assess her, concluded that she truly deserved her reputation.
Dokka Seethamma passed away as a widow in the Telugu year Sowmya on Vaisakha Suddha Navami, which corresponds to April 28, 1909. She was honored as a Hindu saint and called Apara Annapurna, viewed as a reincarnation of the goddess Annapurna. In 2000, an aqueduct over the Vynateya River was named in her honor, complete with a bust depicting her.
Known as Annapoorna for her generosity, Seethamma provided food to the poor during the construction of the barrage and aqueduct by Sir Arthur Cotton. She even served traditional meals to a British Collector who was ill. Her charitable work earned her recognition from John Edward, who invited her to his installation ceremony in London; however, she declined the invitation.
On January 1, 1903, King Edward VII inaugurated her photograph in the main hall of the Royal Palace in London. This photograph was later seen by the then Hon. Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Sri GMC Balayogi, during his visit to the palace in 2000.
Telugu writers, including Bhupathi Narayana Murthy, have authored books about her life and contributions. In 1996, Doordarshan aired a serial about Seethamma’s life, featuring renowned actor Jayanthi Bhavani Sankaram.
The P. Gannavaram aqueduct was originally built in 1859. In 2000, a new aqueduct and road bridge were constructed across the Vynateya River near Gannavaram. This new structure was designed to facilitate the crossing of the Gannavaram Canal and to irrigate 45,000 acres in the Nagaram island area.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Balayogi played a crucial role in the construction of this aqueduct, which was inaugurated by the then Minister for Major Irrigation, Mandava Venkateswara Rao, on July 22, 2000.
Seethamma’s legacy continues to inspire modern social initiatives focused on food security and public welfare. Recent political leaders have drawn inspiration from her life in their initiatives to provide subsidized meals to the underprivileged.
The reopening of “Anna Canteens” in Andhra Pradesh is seen as a continuation of the spirit of service that Seethamma embodied, offering meals at highly subsidized rates to ensure that the poor have access to affordable food.
Additionally, Pawan Kalyan, the deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh has proposed the establishment of Dokka Seethamma Canteens as a tribute to her legacy. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has also named the school meals program in her honor, referring to it as the Dokka Seethamma Midday Meal program.