Bhubaneswar: Rich tributes were paid to Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das on his 170thbirth anniversary on Saturday.
Members of Utkal Sammilani paid floral tributes to Madhu Babu at Gora Kabar in Cuttack where he was laid to rest.
Similarly, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Odsiha Assembly Speaker Pradip Amat, MP Prasanna Patsani and other senior political leaders garlanded the statue of Madhusudan Das on the premises of state secretariat in Bhubaneswar.
A special function was also organised in Cuttack to observe the day as lawyers’ day as Madhu Babu was the first advocate of the state. The function was graced by Orissa High Court Chief Justice Vineet Saran and other members of the Bar Association. All the dignitaries recalled the pivotal role played by Madhu Babu in his capacity as a political reformer, litterateur, lawyer and social worker, and his contribution towards formation of separate Odisha state.
Meanwhile, a special sand sculpture of Madhusudan Das was created by Sudarshan Sand Art Institute in Puri with the use of five tonnes of sand to pay homage to the iconic leader.
