Dokka Seethamma (or Sithamma; 1841–1909) was an Indian social activist who gained recognition by spending much of her life serving food for poor people and travellers.

[1] Dokka Joganna, a Vedic Scholar and farmer, married her, and this allowed her to offer food to the poor, which she did for more than 40 years.

[2] Sreemathi Seethamma, born in 1841, was the daughter of Anappandi Bhavani Sankar from Mandapeta in Ramachandrapuram Taluk, East Godavari District.

During a flood caused by the Godavari River and heavy rain, he disguised himself as an untouchable and called for Seethamma, asking for food.

After 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.

The project was inaugurated by the then Minister for Major Irrigation, Mandava Venkateswara Rao, on July 22, 2000, and the aqueduct was named in honor of Dokka Seethamma.

For instance, recent political leaders have drawn inspiration from Seethamma's life in their initiatives to provide subsidized meals to the underprivileged.

These canteens offer meals at highly subsidized rates, ensuring that the state's poor have access to affordable food, much like the work Seethamma did in her lifetime.