Bhubaneswar: As the nation prepares to celebrate its 77th Republic Day next month, a wave of gratitude has swept across the country for the unsung architects of Indian independence. During the latest episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned the spotlight on a remarkable daughter of Odisha, Parbati Giri, whose legacy of sacrifice and service continues to illuminate the path for future generations.
The Prime Minister’s tribute comes at a poignant moment as the country nears the birth centenary of this legendary figure in January 2026. Parbati Giri, often affectionately called the Mother Teresa of Western Odisha, represents the fierce spirit of a young India that refused to bow to colonial rule.
At an age when most children are focused on their play and studies, a 16-year-old Parbati threw herself into the fire of the Quit India Movement in 1942. Her courage was not merely a fleeting moment of teenage rebellion but the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the soul of the nation. She faced imprisonment and hardship with a smile, driven by an unwavering love for her motherland that outweighed any fear of British authorities.
However, as the Prime Minister noted with a touch of solemnity, the journey of Parbati Giri did not end when the tricolor was finally hoisted in 1947. While many sought positions of power in a free India, she chose the quiet, arduous path of social reform. She walked into the heart of tribal regions, dedicating her remaining decades to the welfare of the marginalized and the forgotten.
The orphanages she established became sanctuaries of hope for those who had no one else to turn to. Her life became a living bridge between the struggle for political freedom and the struggle for social dignity. By shifting her focus from protesting against an empire to nurturing the vulnerable, she proved that true patriotism lies in serving the last person in the line.
The Prime Minister’s emotional message reached its peak when he spoke in Odia, saying, “Mu Parbati Girijinku shraddhanjali arpan karuchi”, a gesture that resonated deeply with the people of Odisha and beyond. This recognition serves as a reminder that the history of India’s independence is written not just in the halls of power, but in the selfless lives of women like Parbati Giri who gave everything for the country they loved.
As her centenary approaches, her story stands as a beacon of light. It is a narrative of a young girl’s bravery evolving into a mother’s compassion, ensuring that while she may have once been an unsung hero, her name will now be etched forever in the heart of a grateful nation.