Bhubaneswar: The life and achievements of Utkal Kesari Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab are an important chapter in the social, political and economic history of Odisha. He was the Vishwakarma of building modern Odisha. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who was the chief guest at the 125th birth anniversary memorial of Dr Harekrushna Mahtab in Bhubaneswar today, said that modern Odisha cannot be imagined without Dr. Mahtab.
It may be recalled that on the first day of the commemoration, the National Level Programme held in New Delhi was inaugurated by The President Draupadi Murmu and the Chief Minister Shri Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahatab were present.
Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary, Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture welcomed the Chief Minister.
Speaking at the event organised by the State Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, the Chief Minister also said that Dr. Mahatab is considered a freedom fighter, politician, litterateur, journalist, historian, diplomat and popular politician. In 1921, while studying in Ravenshaw College, he left his studies at the call of Mahatma Gandhi and joined the independence movement.
Inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Mahatab led the freedom movement in Odisha and brought about a new revolution in the public mind. From India’s freedom struggle to political and social upliftment in Odisha, his contribution in every field was unparalleled. Guided by Gandhiji’s ideals, he played a key role in the non-cooperation movement in Odisha, salt satyagraha, quit India movement. For this, he was imprisoned several times between 1921 and 1946. He also played a key role in the Garhjat movement in Odisha.
Dr. Mahatab was the last Prime Minister and the first Chief Minister of Odisha. He was a multi-faceted self-contained institution in Odisha. Dr. Mahatab’s signature will be found in the soudha or institution of Odisha which focuses on. Earlier, his achievements were kept in mind. Hirakud Dam, establishment of capital, construction of Raj Bhavan, Odisha State Museum, State Lalit Kala Academy, Bhanja Kala Mandap, Rabindra Mandap, Cuttack Radio Station, High Court, Nandan Kanan, Vidyadharpur Paddy Research Centre, Odisha Public Service Commission are some of the major contributions that will keep him memorable.
He further said that a biopic will be made on the life of Dr. Mahatab to keep his memory alive in the public mind of Odisha and to make him more established at the national level. A memorial museum will be set up and the statue will be installed at his birthplace Agarpada in Bhadrak district. The 100th anniversary of the formation of a separate State of Odisha will be held in 2036. By 2036, we aim to build a developed and prosperous Odisha. Based on the principles and ideals of Dr. Mahtab in this 12-year period, the new government will definitely build a prosperous and developed Odisha, he said.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment and Power, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo thanked the Chief Minister and the members of the Committee for deciding to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr. Mahatab across the year. He said that to know about Mahtab, the younger generation needs to study about him. It is the responsibility of all of us to remember and remember the sons of Odisha. He said it was Dr. Mahtab who first merged the Gadjat in Odisha in India.
Minister for Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Suryawanshi Suraj said that Dr. Mahatab was an amazing man. Under the leadership and guidance of the Chief Minister, his memorial has become a national-level festival, not just at the state level.
Eminent litterateur Prof. Vijay Satpathy said that Dr. Mahatab’s life is as interesting as it is fascinating. He is the challenge of history and a boon for the freedom struggle. Stating that his entire life is divided into three stages of resolve, struggle and sadhana, he highlighted the achievements and achievements of Dr. Mahatab.
Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab was present on the occasion. Litterateurs Shankar Lal Purohit, Nishamani Kar and Govind Chandra Chand were felicitated for their literary works and seven books namely Coffeetable Book Man of Destiny, Mahanayak Mahtab, Harekrushna Mahtab by Odia Sahitya Akademi, Shishulekha, Mahatna mathab by Odia Sahitya Akademi, Mahtab and unique works by the State Museum and The Village Majlis by Harekrushna Mahtab Foundation were also released.
The chief minister visited the exhibition of photographs and oil paintings organised on Mahtab on the occasion. Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary, Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture delivered the welcome address and Director Bijay Ketan Upadhyay proposed the vote of thanks.