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at the same time, in the late nineteenth century. Gurajada’s diaries, as evidenced in the earliest publication, can be traced to 1889, whereas Kandukuri started writing diaries the following year.

Unfortunately, not all the diaries and manuscripts Gurajada’s are available with the State Archives, A.P. Diaries prior to 1895 are not found either with the State Archives Hyderabad or elsewhere. Yet, the first edition of the Telugu version of Gurajada’s diaries published in 1954 by Visalandhra Publishing House, Vijayawada, includes the slim diaries of 1889, 1891, 1892 and 1893. Since the manuscripts were in the possession of Visalandhra for a long time before they were handed over to the State Archives, the genuineness of the diaries published by them need not, rather dare not be questioned. Visalandhra is a pioneer in the publication of not only the diaries, but the entire literature of Gurajada with great zeal and commitment. Moreover, writers like K.V.R. and Arudra who perused the manuscripts when they were with Visalandhra Publishing House had quoted from the diaries extensively in their writings.

The diaries, letters and notes of Gurajada go a long way in reevaluating his revolutionary ideas and reforms. They help to assess and understand his multifaceted personality, the graphic growth of his wisdom, vision and intellect and bring to light the high pedestal he occupies in the social and literary realm. “We have still ‘miles to go’ before we reach the goals, which Gurajada has set for us. And until we reach those goals, he would be unto us ‘a shaft of light’ guiding our steps and lightening for us the weariness of the long journey by his friendly jests, his good honoured drollery and his hilarious laughter”.13

                     “Never does land
                      Mean clay and sand
                      The people, the people, they are the land”

(Gurajada’s 'Desabhakti' translated by Sri Sri)