Keonjhar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi unveiled a full-sized statue of revolutionary and freedom fighter Dharanidhar Naik at Keonjhar town on Friday.
The momentous event, held at Nekada Ghar Chowk in Jamunalia, marked the fulfilment of a promise made by the Chief Minister earlier this year, highlighting the region’s deep-rooted spirit of resistance and inspiration.
Speaking on the occasion, Majhi described Dharanidhar Naik as a beacon of inspiration for the people of Keonjhar. “Keonjhar’s soil is a land of revolutionaries. Many freedom fighters were born here, but whenever revolutionaries are discussed, Dharanidhar Naik’s name stands foremost in our district,” he said.
He said Keonjhar is not just known for its mines but also for its fighting spirit. “I gave my word, and I kept it. On May 5 this year, I promised that the son of Keonjhar’s soil will receive due honour, with his statue at the gateway to Keonjhar. Today, that promise has been realised.”
Dharanidhar Naik, a tribal leader, led the famous ‘Dharani Meli’ rebellion against the tyrannical monarchy’s atrocities on innocent subjects. The CM highlighted how Dharanidhar’s life embodied resistance against injustice, inspiring generations.
On life’s purpose, the CM noted, “Human life is hard-earned and must be made meaningful. It’s not about living long, but about the significant contributions one makes. Dharanidhar’s journey teaches us this—his early life was dedicated to igniting the fire of independence through rebellion, while his later years were spent in spiritual pursuit, seeking divine blessings for the nation’s freedom and integrity.”
At the event, tributes were also paid to another local icon, Daitari Naik, known as the ‘Canal Man.’ The Chief Minister praised Naik’s extraordinary feat of single-handedly digging a canal from Gonasika Hill to his village, Talabaitarani, over three years using just a hoe and a crowbar. “One crowbar and one hoe can instil self-confidence in a person—this is what we learn from Daitari Babu. His inspiring story reached Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to his Padma Shri award in 2019. He, too, is a revolutionary in his own right,” said Majhi.
The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Daitari Naik, MP Ananta Nayak, MLAs Fakir Nayak, Akhila Nayak, Mamita Nayak, Shyam Sundar Nayak, descendants of Dharanidhar such as artist Kalakar Nayak, and representatives from the Bhuyan community.
