For kids in India during the 1980s and 1990s, a medicine cabinet without Amrutanjan was unthinkable. The yellow bottle was a must-have for relieving severe headaches and body aches

Did you know that this popular pain balm was designed by Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao, who was not only a freedom fighter but also a journalist and social reformer? He also played a part in the civil disobedience movement alongside Mahatma Gandhi and was instrumental in the formation of Andhra Pradesh.

Born in 1867 in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, Rao completed his education at Madras Christian College. He then worked in a Calcutta pharmacy to learn about medicines before becoming the owner of a European firm, William and Company, in Mumbai.

However, driven by his nationalistic ideals and taking inspiration from Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu, the father of the Telugu's renaissance movement in Telugu, he was eager to start his own venture.

Drawing on his experience from Calcutta, Rao created a potent yellow balm and founded a company in Mumbai in 1893 to mass-produce it. To promote his new brand, he handed out samples of the balm for free at music concerts.

2. Valley of Flowers As the name suggests, this wonder is home to a wide variety of flowers, such as orchids, poppies, marigolds, daisies, etc. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, the park is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers many treks in the region.

Nageswara Rao's company flourished, and though the balm started at ten annas, it eventually made him a millionaire. With his business booming, Rao also focused on social reforms and advocated for a separate state for Telugu people.

He organised activities in Mumbai, where Amrutanjan Limited was based, and launched a weekly journal named Andhra Patrika. Within five years, the journal’s popularity led Rao to move it to Madras (Chennai) in 1936. It became a daily, and Rao wrote enthusiastic articles in support of an independent Andhra state.

In the years that followed, Rao was a key founder of the Andhra Movement, drawing more attention and support from Telugu speakers. An official committee was established to organise the movement.

From 1924 to 1934, Rao served as president of the Andhra State Congress Committee. His work, activism, and nationalistic articles earned him the title ‘Desoddhaaraka’ (uplifter of the masses). In November 1937, Telugu leaders met at his home to plan for Andhra state.

4. Laitlum Canyon The word Laitlum means ‘end of the hills’, and the canyons live up to this description. Often compared to the Scottish Highlands, the canyon in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya is full of picturesque views of sunsets, and lush green vegetation. You can trek to the top, visit the nearby village of Ra Song, and stand on the wooden bridge above the magnificent Laitlum river.

The creation of Andhra state was postponed by the world war and India’s early struggles, and it was only formalised on December 19, 1952. Rao, who passed away on April 11, 1938, missed seeing his dream come true. However, his legacy lives on through his ideas, Andhra Grandha Mala publishing house, its libraries, and of course, Amrutanjan.