Bhubaneswar : With the Centre and State announced yearlong celebration of 125th Birthday of first Chief Minister and freedom fighter Harekrushna Mahtab, different organisation and tall politicians from Odisha renewed their demand to confer prestigious Bhārat Ratna to Mahtab.
The recent demand was came from non other than ex BJP stalwart and former Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan.
Shri Harichandan was speaking at 125th birth anniversary memorial of Dr Harekrushna Mahatab, organized by Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture.
Shri Harichandan said the Centre should posthumously honour former Chief Minister Harekrushna Mahatab with the Bharat Ratna.
The former Governor has spoke laudly to accord Bharat Ratna for the first CM.
During the ongoing 125th birth anniversary celebration of Dr.Mahatab, ex Governor’s son and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan highlighted that the party respects all historical figures. The BJD had neglected Mahtab.
Minister Shri Harichandan said the BJP government acknowledges the contributions of every great personality towards Odisha’s development.
Congress Veteran Panchanan Kanungo too demanded for conferment of the Bharat Ratna for Dr Mahatab stating he played a pivotal role in Odisha’s development.
“Mahatab was a steadfast leader, much like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. If Shri Patel was honoured with the Bharat Ratna, then Dr.Mahatab equally deserves this recognition for his contributions,” said Shri Kanungo.
Dr.Mahatab is considered as one of the leading makers of modern Odisha and his followers have been seeking the country’s highest civilian honour for him in light of his contributions to the state.
Even, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recalled his contribution to the development of the state during his speech in Paradip on February 7 this year.
Dr.Mahatab was Odisha’s Premier from 23 April 1946 to 12 May 1950. He also inducted as the Union Minister of Commerce and industry in 1950 in Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s Government and had a stint as the Governor of undivided Maharashtra.
Again he became the Chief Minister of Odisha for a second time in 1956 and served till 1961.
Dr.Mahatab was active in electoral politics till 1977. Dr. Mahatab was imprisoned many times during freedom struggle. During emergency he was also detained under MISA.
That apart his contribution in the fields of journalism, literature, social reforms and over all development of Modern Odisha are also commendable, said Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary Odia Language, Literature and Culture.
Top Mandarin, Shri Sethi is a great fan of Dr. Mahatab and he has been organizing several celebrations for remembrance of Utkal Kesari, Dr.Mahatab.