Bhubaneswar: In a major event celebrating national heritage, patriotism, and social service, President Shrimati Droupadi Murmu unveiled the statue of Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das at Lajpat Bhawan in New Delhi.
The solemn ceremony brought together prominent national leaders, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram, former Union Minister and MP Dharmendra Pradhan,Members of Parliament from Odisha, and several distinguished guests who gathered to pay homage to two iconic figures of India’s freedom struggle and nation-building movement. Servants of The People Society President Shri Raj Kumar welcomed the Honourable Guests.
During the event, floral tributes were offered at the statues of national stalwart Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai and revered freedom fighter, poet, and reformer Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das. The occasion highlighted the deeply intertwined cultural and social legacies of both regional and national reformers who dedicated their lives to self-reliance, popular education, and public service.
The presence of Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram alongside parliamentary representatives from Odisha underlined the enduring cultural pride attached to Pandit Gopabandhu Das across the state and the entire nation. Known affectionately as Utkalmani, meaning the Jewel of Odisha, Gopabandhu Das played a pioneering role as an educationist, social worker, freedom fighter, and journalist. His legacy through initiatives like the Satyabadi Bana Bidyalaya and the founding of the daily newspaper The Samaja remains a cornerstone of modern Odia identity and social reform.
Reflecting on the cultural and historical importance of the event, former Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that the lofty ideals of service, sacrifice, education, and patriotism enshrined by these great luminaries remain eternal guiding beacons on the country’s journey toward national progress. He noted that their thoughts and core values will continue to provide ceaseless new inspiration and strength toward achieving the vision of a Developed India.
The ceremony at Lajpat Bhawan served as a poignant reminder of how the visionary principles of selfless service, humanitarian values, and nationalist education championed by figures like Lala Lajpat Rai and Pandit Gopabandhu Das continue to inspire contemporary efforts toward building a prosperous and culturally vibrant nation. The Samaja, New Delhi Bureau Chief Shri Shakti Prasad Nayak coordinated the entire show, which scripted grand success.