On the occasion of 70th Independence
Day, it is our responsibility to appreciate them who have loved the
Nation, lived for the Nation and have given their lives to this Nation
as well.
When it comes to responsibility, we ought
not to forget how responsible our own state, Odisha has always been. We
recognize a state by its people and its culture. Our abode has been
proud and will continue to be proud of its people who have not just
given themselves to the state but to the Nation as a whole.
1. Surendra Sai –The Legend from Western Odisha
Born on 23rd January 1809, Surendra Sai is
an Indian freedom fighter who didn’t think once before giving away his
life in obscurity in his fight against the British. Surendra Sai along
with many other associates have fought for Western Odisha region for a
certain period of time against the British rule.Surendra
Sai himself died in Asirgarh Jail on 28 February 1884 while many of his
associates were left to die unnoticed. Sambalpur was one of the last
lands to be acquired by the British on 30 April 1862. The credit
completely goes to the efforts of Surendra Sai. The western region
people called him as Bira (or “Veer” meaning courageous) Surendra
Sai with lots of love and affection. Paying a tribute to him, the
famous VSSUT(Veer Surendra Sai University Of Technology) and VSSMR(Veer
Surendra Sai Institute of Medical and Research, Burla are named after
him. They are one of the premier institutes of the nation in the fields
of Engineering and Medical studies respectively.
2. Kuntala Kumari Sabat – The Champion
Kuntala Kumari Sabat was born on 8th February,
1909, at Jagdalpur in Bastar region. Having spent her childhood in
Burma with her parents, she had developed fearlessness in herself. She
did her early schooling from Revenshaw Girl’s School and studied
medicine at a Medical College in Cuttuck. With her simplicity and
passion for serving others, she came out successfully as a doctor.
Gopal Chandra Praharaj and Pallikabi Nanda Kishore Bala adored
her so much that they adopted her as their daughter. In the long run,
she got married but still continued to write in English, Oriya and
Bengali. She went on deliver lectures at Banaras Hindu University and
Allahabad University. She was the president of students’ federation at
Aligarh. Not just that, she was made the chairperson of a reputed social
organization founded by Harbilash Sarda for the introduction of widow
remarriage and abolition of child marriage. Her love for Odisha and her
glorious past can be seen in her poems. As a disciple of Gandhi, she
claimed Independence to be her birth right and made sure that women take
part in the Independence movement. Her passion for equality,
fraternity, justice and liberty was astounding. Throughout her life, she
fought against injustice and exploitation. She was a champion and will
always continue to be so.
3.BIRSHA MUNDA:
Birsha munda also known as ( Birsha Bhagwan) was an Indian tribal
freedom fighter. He is the tribal leader who revolted against the
british rule.during the British Raj, thereby making him an important
figure in the history of the Indian independence movement. His
achievements are even more remarkable for having been accomplished
before the age of 25.
He was a visionary who played a crucial role in liberation of his community, the tribal people, who were exposed to persistent dominance by the British exploitative policies and atrocities.ull ownership rights of tribals exemplified his leadership and vision.
He was a visionary who played a crucial role in liberation of his community, the tribal people, who were exposed to persistent dominance by the British exploitative policies and atrocities.ull ownership rights of tribals exemplified his leadership and vision.
4. Laxman Nayak – The Real Hero
Laxman Nayak who belonged to the Bhuyan tribe of Odisha was born on 22ndNovember
1899. His hometown being Koraput, he went on to become a Odia-folk hero
of the Koraput District. He was a civil rights activist of South Odisha
in the Eastern India. His father worked under the Madras Presidency as a
tribal chief. The tribal people were treated
quite harshly by the revenue officials, forest guides and police
officials. Thus, Nayak set the goal to fight against the exploitation by
the officials. This brought him recognition as a potential tribal
leader and the National Congress admitted Nayak into its fold. All this
while, he managed to showcase himself as a worthy tribal leader which
further broadened his horizons.
His training in the National Congress
inculcated in him a spirit for Nationalism and he started believing in
the Gandhian principles of truth, nonviolence and peaceful
non-cooperation with the British Government. He carried a Charkha which
was used spread the message of the importance of adult education. He
also asked the rural community to abstain alcohols from themselves which
brought in a lot many positive changes in their lives. He mentored the
mission in the Congress campaign in the Koraput Sub-division during the
first ever election in 1936. Being a follower of Gandhi, he planned to
lead a procession on 21 August 1942 which further created a havoc. The
police fired the peaceful administrators in front of Mathili Police
Station, which killed forty and wounded more than two hundred people.
This implicated Nayak in a case of murder and he was sentenced to death
on 13 November 1942. He was hanged on 29 March 1943 in Berhampur Jail.
5. Jayee Rajguru – The First Martyr
Jayakrushna Rajguru Mohapatra (29 October 1739 – 6 December 1806) popularly known as ‘Jayee Rajguru’ was born in Puri District of Odisha.
A Royal Priest, Commander-in-Chief of the king of Khurda, Gajapati Mukundadev-II. He was the first martyr of India against the British.
After occupying Andhra from the Nizam of Hyderabad, the
British wanted to capture khurda (in Odisha) to gain logistical
advantage and shift goods between Odisha and Midnapore(WB). The District
Magistrate of Ganjam Col. Harcourt made an agreement with the King of
Khurda for the communication of Ganjam and Midnapore.
Filled with rage Jayee Rajguru arranged his army and occupied the four Praganas on his own. But, the British tried to capture Khurda by force.
Finally, the historical fight occurred between the military of Khurda and the Britishers. Fight continued for a long period and Jayee Rajguru was arrested. He put his heart out to keep his king safe but finally, Mukunda Dev-II was arrested on 3 January 1805.
Jayee Rajguru and the King were sent to Midnapore Jail
where he was declared guilty for waging a war “against the lawfully
established Govt. of the land”.
He was ordered to be hanged till death but was finally killed in the
most ruthless manner where executioners tied his legs to the opposite
branches of a tree and let go of it. The story of Jayee Rajguru can make
any Indian’s blood boil and condemn the atrocities of British.
Souce: communityodia.com
6. Parbati Giri – The Young Fighter
Parbati Giri was only 16 but actively in
the forefront of all freedom activities, especially the Quit India
Movement. She was also imprisoned for 2 years for taking part in such
activities. Giri served the public socially post independence and was
also known as the Mother Teresa of Western Odisha.
Early in his life, Baji Rout joins Prajamandal movement under Veer Baishnav, in his early age to fight against the taxation rule of Dhenkanala Shankar Pratap Singhdeo. The people under his rule were looking for the end of this Crule ruling.
Police and forces of King were in search of Veer Baishnav. They have attacked the Bhuban village for the search of him. On October 10, 1938, they have attacked the Bhuban village once again. Police arrested some persons and took them to jail. But the Praja Mandal members woke up and protested against this arrest.
After the incident, the forces thought that their life is in danger and return back. They want to go Dhenkanal, in the shortest route by passing through Nilaknthapur ghat. On the night of 11th October 1938, Bhahmani River near Nilaknthapur Ghat. They have ordered Baji Rout, a 13-year-old boy to cross them across the river.
As he is the member of Prajamanal he is aware of the incidence, So he refused the soldiers to Ferry the across, The boy rejected strongly to obey the soldier’s order. The angry force shot him dead along with four others villagers Laxman Mallik and Fagu Sahoo.
The incident shook the whole nation. People lauded the supreme sacrifice of the brave martyr. The funeral procession of Sahid Baji Rout started from his own village of Nilakanthpur to Khan Nagar in Cuttack.
Let’s not misuse the Independence which came at the cost of other’s sacrifice and do our bit for the Nation.
Jai Hind!
He was a visionary who played a crucial role in liberation of his
community, the tribal people, who were exposed to persistent dominance
by the British exploitative policies and atrocities.ull ownership rights
of tribals exemplified his leadership and vision.
4. Laxman Nayak – The Real Hero
Laxman Nayak who belonged to the Bhuyan tribe of Odisha was born on 22ndNovember
1899. His hometown being Koraput, he went on to become a Odia-folk hero
of the Koraput District. He was a civil rights activist of South Odisha
in the Eastern India. His father worked under the Madras Presidency as a
tribal chief. The tribal people were treated
quite harshly by the revenue officials, forest guides and police
officials. Thus, Nayak set the goal to fight against the exploitation by
the officials. This brought him recognition as a potential tribal
leader and the National Congress admitted Nayak into its fold. All this
while, he managed to showcase himself as a worthy tribal leader which
further broadened his horizons.
His training in the National Congress
inculcated in him a spirit for Nationalism and he started believing in
the Gandhian principles of truth, nonviolence and peaceful
non-cooperation with the British Government. He carried a Charkha which
was used spread the message of the importance of adult education. He
also asked the rural community to abstain alcohols from themselves which
brought in a lot many positive changes in their lives. He mentored the
mission in the Congress campaign in the Koraput Sub-division during the
first ever election in 1936. Being a follower of Gandhi, he planned to
lead a procession on 21 August 1942 which further created a havoc. The
police fired the peaceful administrators in front of Mathili Police
Station, which killed forty and wounded more than two hundred people.
This implicated Nayak in a case of murder and he was sentenced to death
on 13 November 1942. He was hanged on 29 March 1943 in Berhampur Jail.
5. Jayee Rajguru – The First Martyr
Jayakrushna Rajguru Mohapatra (29 October 1739 – 6 December 1806) popularly known as ‘Jayee Rajguru’ was born in Puri District of Odisha.
A Royal Priest, Commander-in-Chief of the king of Khurda, Gajapati Mukundadev-II. He was the first martyr of India against the British.
After occupying Andhra from the Nizam of Hyderabad, the
British wanted to capture khurda (in Odisha) to gain logistical
advantage and shift goods between Odisha and Midnapore(WB). The District
Magistrate of Ganjam Col. Harcourt made an agreement with the King of
Khurda for the communication of Ganjam and Midnapore.
It was agreed that the British would pay one lakh Rupees (₹ 1,
00,000) towards compensation to the king and to return the four Praganas
which were under the control of the Marathas. However the British, turned against their own word.Filled with rage Jayee Rajguru arranged his army and occupied the four Praganas on his own. But, the British tried to capture Khurda by force.
Finally, the historical fight occurred between the military of Khurda and the Britishers. Fight continued for a long period and Jayee Rajguru was arrested. He put his heart out to keep his king safe but finally, Mukunda Dev-II was arrested on 3 January 1805.
Jayee Rajguru and the King were sent to Midnapore Jail
where he was declared guilty for waging a war “against the lawfully
established Govt. of the land”.
He was ordered to be hanged till death but was finally killed in the
most ruthless manner where executioners tied his legs to the opposite
branches of a tree and let go of it. The story of Jayee Rajguru can make
any Indian’s blood boil and condemn the atrocities of British.
Souce: communityodia.com
6. Parbati Giri – The Young Fighter
Parbati Giri was only 16 but actively in
the forefront of all freedom activities, especially the Quit India
Movement. She was also imprisoned for 2 years for taking part in such
activities. Giri served the public socially post independence and was
also known as the Mother Teresa of Western Odisha.
Early in his life, Baji Rout joins Prajamandal movement under Veer Baishnav, in his early age to fight against the taxation rule of Dhenkanala Shankar Pratap Singhdeo. The people under his rule were looking for the end of this Crule ruling.
Police and forces of King were in search of Veer Baishnav. They have attacked the Bhuban village for the search of him. On October 10, 1938, they have attacked the Bhuban village once again. Police arrested some persons and took them to jail. But the Praja Mandal members woke up and protested against this arrest.
As he is the member of Prajamanal he is aware of the incidence, So he refused the soldiers to Ferry the across, The boy rejected strongly to obey the soldier’s order. The angry force shot him dead along with four others villagers Laxman Mallik and Fagu Sahoo.
The incident shook the whole nation. People lauded the supreme sacrifice of the brave martyr. The funeral procession of Sahid Baji Rout started from his own village of Nilakanthpur to Khan Nagar in Cuttack.
Let’s not misuse the Independence which came at the cost of other’s sacrifice and do our bit for the Nation.
Jai Hind!
Very good website, thank you.
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