Rayalaseema region too played a significant role in the Indian National Movement. During those days this region was in the Madras Presidency. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, who rose to the position of the President of India, was born in the year 1913 in Ananthapur. After completing, his education at Government Arts College Ananthapur, he jumped into the Indian National Movement in the year 1930-1931 in response to the call of Gandhi. He also took an active part in the Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement during1930-1932 &1942-1944. He had undergone rigorous imprisonment due to his active role in the freedom struggle. He became the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on 1 November 1956.
Soruce: Who’s Who of Freedom Struggle in Andhra Pradesh, Sarojini Regani, Shivaji Press, Secunderabad, Vol.I, 1978, pp.29-30