Bhubaneswar: The revolutionary role of Utkal Keshari Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, the creator of Naba Utkal, is written in golden letters in the history of Odisha. He is well known world wide not only as a freedom fighter and politician but also as a literary figure, journalist, editor, efficient administrator and cultured person.
Dr. Mahatab was a decisive and a man of great personality. Today, on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of that great man, the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department of the Government of Odisha has celebrated the 125th birth anniversary of Utkal Keshari Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar to pay homage to him and to be inspired by his ideals.
Deputy Chief Minister, Parvati Parida attended today’s program as the chief guest. Apart from this, Minister of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Suryavansi Suraj, Minister of Public Works, Excise and Law, Prithviraj Harichandan, MLA Ekamra Bhubaneswar, Babu Singh, eminent writer Padma Bhushan Pratibha Ray, eminent politician and lawyer Sibananda Ray etc. attended as special guests.
At the beginning of the program, Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Parida inaugurated an exhibition of books, photographs and oil paintings based on the biography of Utkal Keshari Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab at Rabindra Mandap. After this, the guests paid their respectful homage to Utkal Keshari by garlanding the photograph of Dr. Mahatab and lighting lamps.
In her speech, the Chief Guest Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Parida said that the emergence of Utkal Keshari Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab can be imagined as a new sunrise in the Odia society. His strong leadership and selfless life brought a new revolution in the minds of the people by freeing Odisha from British rule. From establishing the capital of Odisha in Bhubaneswar to building the Hirakud River Dam, various works were done by him. I hope that our youth will be inspired by Mahatab’s life and move forward.
Culture Minister Shri Suraj said in his speech that Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab dedicated his life for the development of the country and the Odia nation. He is an eternal tribute to us. He played a major role in the independence of the country, the formation of Odisha as a separate state and the merger of the princely states. Apart from being a skilled politician, he was a great writer. Odia identity was reflected in his literary creation. On the birth anniversary of that great man, we should all pay him respectful tributes and be inspired by his ideals.
Law Minister Shri Harichandan said in his speech that Mahatab played an important role in the merger of the princely states with Odisha. The various public works done by Mahatab are indicative of his strong leadership, public service and unity. In addition, Mahatab also gave a new direction to the social, economic, political and cultural life of Odisha. Law Minister Shri Harichandan expressed that his life story is inspiring for all of us.
Along with this, Ekamra MLA Shri Singh and eminent politician and lawyer Shri Sivananda Ray spoke about Mahatab’s contribution to Odisha. Renowned writer Padma Bhushan Dr. Ray discussed the literary work of Mahatab and expressed the opinion that if literature improves, then the Odisha nation can improve.
In today’s program, books based on Mahatab’s life, “Utkal Keshari Mahatab” and “Rashtra Nirmata Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab” and also “Pilank Meena Bazar” and a book based on Mahatab’s biography, “Exhibition of Paintings of Utkal Keshari” were released. In addition, all the artists of the Harekrushna Mahatab Painting Camp organized by the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department were felicitated by guests.
Principal Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Bishnupada Sethi, delivered the welcome speech at the program, while Director Bijay Ketan Upadhyay proposed the vote of thanks.
It is worth mentioning that the Odisha Government has decided to organize various programs throughout the year on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab. Literary and intellectual circles have expressed their support for the government’s move and urged the youth to be inspired by Mahatab’s example.