Jagatsinghpur: Eminent freedom fighter of Odisha Biswanath Das, popularly known as Balikuda Gandhi, passed away at the age of 106.
Recipient of the President’s Award, Das was suffering from age related ailments and breathed his last during treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Das, who hailed from of Bhagaban Sindhola village under Balikuda tehsil in Jagatsinghpur district, had joined the freedom struggle since his student days following a call given by Mahatma Gandhi. He played a significant role in the Quit India movement and was imprisoned during 1942-43.
In 2012, the then President Pranab Mukherjee honoured him at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Similarly, Das was among the ten freedom fighters from Odisha who received the President’s Award in 2020 on the occasion of Quit India Day, also known as the August Kranti Diwas.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the demise of Das and said his contribution towards India’s freedom struggle was immeasurable.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed grief over his demise. “Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of Biswanath Das. His role in the freedom struggle will be remembered for posterity. I extend my prayers and condolences to the bereaved family,” he tweeted.
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