Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Friday led tributes to legendary freedom fighter and former Chief Minister Dr Harekrushna Mahtab, marking the 39th anniversary of his death.
Speaking at the event held at Shahid Smaraki Swadhinata Sangrami Sadan in Bhubaneswar, CM Majhi announced that a full-size statue of Dr Mahtab will be installed in central Bhubaneswar. He also revealed that a family welfare scheme, Kutumb Yojana, for freedom fighters’ families is in the final stages and will be implemented in the state soon. “Honouring our great sons is our moral duty,” he stated, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inspiration for the government’s efforts to recognise Odisha’s luminaries, including celebrating their birth and death anniversaries in their native villages.
Describing Mahtab a
s the “DNA” of the struggle against injustice and tyranny, Majhi said: “During his lifetime, every movement in the freedom struggle or post-independence protests in Odisha was either led by him or inspired by his resolute motivation. He was also the architect of modern Odisha. He worked for the progress and development of the state.”
Addressing freedom fighters and their families, Majhi called for a new struggle. “Today, we no longer need a movement for independence, but we need a battle to make India self-reliant (Atmanirbhar Bharat). Everyone must join this fight,” he noted.
CM Majhi also honoured veteran freedom fighter Bimbadhar Muduli, president of the Freedom Fighters’ Day festival, and inaugurated a photo exhibition on Dr. Mahtab’s life organised by the Information and Public Relations Department.
Works, Law and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Cooperation, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, Cuttack MP and Trust Chairman Bhartruhari Mahtab, Opposition deputy Leader Prasanna Acharya, former ministers Niranjan Patnaik and Suresh Kumar Routra, and Mahanga MLA Sarada Prasad Pradhan and former Minister Suresh Kumar Routray were present, among others.