125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab
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New Delhi, Speech of Hon'ble Chief Minister Sri Mohan Charan Majhi at the National Level celebration of 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr Harekrushna Mahatab at New Delhi
the outset, as we come together to celebrate the 125th Birth Anniversary of Utkal Keshari Dr Harekrushna Mahatab, I pay my deepest tributes and homage to him.
It is a glorious occasion to be here to commemorate such a towering personality of my soil who has revolutionized the progress and prosperity of Odisha and has left an indelible mark at the national level too.
I thank Her Excellency, the President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu Ji for her gracious presence on this occasion and leading the nation in paying homage to one of the greatest freedom fighters and stalwarts of our nation. Maa’m, you represent the entire Nation, and your presence here has added glory to us and made this programme truly a national function.
I thank Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Saha Ji, Hon’ble Union Culture Minister, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Ji and Hon’ble Union Minister, Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji for making this national level commemorative event possible, celebrating the birth anniversary of Dr. Mahatab, one of the makers of modern India, and founders of modern Odisha.
Dr. Mahatab was a Statesman, a Visionary , a genius Political Thinker and a Strategist. He was a mentor to numerous young leaders who later became big names in Odisha politics. Besides his contributions to politics, he inspired a generation of Odia writers and journalists. During his heyday, he was the ultimate guru and guide of aspiring leaders, journalists and writers.
Today, the Odisha as we see today is a refelction of Dr Mahatab's immense contributions. He led Odisha during the crucial time of Independence. He was the last Prime Minister of Odisha and the first Chief Minister of Odisha.
As we know, Sardar Patel's genious and effort shaped integration of the former princely states with India. Likewise Dr. Mahatab was the ‘Sardar Patel of Odisha’ who ensured merger of 26 princely states with Odisha. He has been the cynosure of solidarity and responsive administration by dint of his dedicated deeds for the state of Odisha as well as our nation during the transition phase of our progress. He truly steered the engine of progress with his rare exhibition of outlook and accountability for the people .
After the passing of the foremost patriot and tallest freedom fighter of Odisha Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, the baton was passed to Dr. Mahatab who became soul of freedom movement in Odisha.
He was nominated to Congress working Committee in 1938 by Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose. He was arrested in Ahmed Nagar Fort among the likes of Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Moulana Azad and many top leaders of that time.
His strong faith in values often guided him to choose a new path when he felt the direction of the existing path was wrong. He was arrested in 1975 for opposing the brutalities and slave like treatment of the then infamous Congress Government to press, public and public leaders during the emergency. His lifetime association with Congress ended with the anti-people policies of the Government led by Smt. Indira Gandhi.
His contribution to development of Odisha is immense. Prominent among them are the establishment of Hirakud Dam and the decision to shift the State capital to Bhubaneswar. Both are mark of a visionary leader. These were glorious chapters of his eventful life who had the ability to transform stones into milestones.
While Hirakud Dam became the fulcrum of state’s food and power needs, Bhubaneswar has become an epitome of sustainable development among state capitals of India.
His massive contributions to the growth of Odia language and literature will never be forgotten. He instituted ‘Prajatantra Prachar Samiti’ and inspired innumerable young and child writers. His ‘Prajatantra was a launchpad for young journalists and writers. His ‘Gaon Majlis’, a regular column in ‘Prajatantra’, was a running guide for Government and society to bring socio-economic changes in those times. It was then a living socio-economic history of Odisha.
Today, 37 years after his passing, the Nation is now ready to pay tributes to him for his valued vision , sacrifice and innovative deeds that glorified his stature as the Utkal Keshari with a lion's heart and heroics.
For a long period, we were only engaged in recognizing the contributions of only one family. It happened throughout the country, it also happened in Odisha. Jasaswi Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi Jee changed all this. We now know the contributions of many more national heroes than that of only one family.
Now, in Odisha too, we are ready to worship all our heroes who made significant contributions to the nation building.
We will go for a year-long celebration of the birth anniversary of Utkal Keshari Dr. Harekrusha Mahatab in a befitting manner.
My Government has taken a decision to set up his memorials at different places including his birthplace Agarpada, books written by him will be re-printed in different languages, research on his life and works will be encouraged. My Government has also decided to make a Biopic on his life which will certainly inspire the current generation and generations to come .
Dr. Mahatab was truly a nationalist leader who strived all his life for national unity, integrity and the democratic character of the independent India. He has always been a Keshari- the lion- of Odisha, and will ever remain so.
I once again convey my gratitudes to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-ji , Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Saha Ji, Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Ji , and Hon’ble Union Minister, Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji for organising this memorable event at the national level.
Thank You All,
Bandey Utkal Janani
Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
