Berhampur: A ‘Mardaraj Chair’ in the name of former king Raja Bahadur Ramchandra Mardaraj Deo at the Khallikote Unitary University in Berhampur of Odisha’s Ganjam district has gained momentum.
Mardaraj Mahotsav Celebration Committee, spearheading the demand, has decided to put forward a proposal to the authorities. The decision was taken during the 125th birth anniversary celebration of Mardaraj Deo on Sunday last.
“We must recognise the contribution of Harihar Mardaraj Deo (1872-1909) and his illustrious son Ramchandra Mardaraj Deo (1900-1963) of Khallikote in establishing the Khallikote College in Berhampur. A ‘Mardaraj Chair’ in memory of the erstwhile royal dynasty will be a fitting recognition of their contributions,” said Prof Manmath Padhi former vice-chancellor of Khallikote Unitary University while addressed the gathering at KC Public School campus in the city.
Both father and son played a significant role in the formation of Odisha as a separate state. But history has failed to evaluate their contributions properly and the historians must review it, he added.
Harihar Mardaraj Deo had donated 16.5 acre of land and liberal amounts later for setting up the college. He also created an endowment with Rs one lakh when the college faced an acute financial crisis around 1893.
As recognition of the magnanimity of the late Raja Saheb, a resolution was passed at a public meeting on 16th August 1893 to rename the college as Khallikote College, which began as a zilla school in 1856. Ramchandra Mardaraj Deo was the president of the private trust, “Khallikote College Trust Managing Committee”, which was taken over by the Odisha government in 1971.
Speaking as chief speaker at the event, Prof Adikanda Sahoo, a retired professor of Odia in Sambalpur University, described Ram Chandra Mardaraj Deo as the gem of Odisha and a real royal personality who gave the state national consciousness.
Prof Prasanna Kumar Swain, Vice-Chancellor of Utkal Culture University also spoke. Saketh Rama Rao, president of Khallikote Mardaraj Sanskrutika Parishad presided the function while Sudhanshu Sekhar Sahu read out the annual report and Major Rama Raman Padhi gave vote of thanks. Hrushikesh Panigrahi did the anchoring.
