Dubai: For the first time ever, the great revolutionary and freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai’s Birth Anniversary was celebrated outside India. An expatriate group GOOD (Global Odias for Odisha’s Development) organised the 212th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Veer Surendra Sai in Dubai on January 23 (the day he was born, in 1809).
Non-resident Odias living in Dubai came together and celebrated this event in a befitting manner. The function started with all the participants paying floral tributes to the legendary freedom fighter. An extravagant display of Veer Surendra Sai’s valour, bravery and heroism followed soon after.
Audio visual presentations on his life and times were made by various participants, including many children. Momentous occasions like his first rebellion at the age of 18 and his escape from Hazaribagh Jail and subsequent leadership of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny in the Central Part of India were described in detail.
The highlight of the evening was a special video address by eminent Odia/Sambalpuri author and dramatist Mangulu Charan Biswal.