Odisha Govt Plans Year-Long Programmes To Observe Harekrushna Mahatab Jayanti

Bhubaneswar: In order to mark 125th birth anniversary of eminent politician and former chief minister Dr Harekrushna Mahatab, the Odisha government has decided celebrate Mahatab Jayanti for one year.

The decision was taken at a meeting of a committee of Odia Language, Literature and Culture department on Mahatab Jayanti, attended by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

It was decided at the meeting that the government would organise several programmes on the visionary national leader and his contributions to promote Odisha and its culture. A biopic on Mahatab will also be exhibited in schools, colleges and universities.

A statue of Dr Mahatab would be installed and a memorial opened at his birthplace in Agarpada of Bhadrak district. A national seminar on his life and contributions would be organised in Bhubaneswar from November 23 to 25.

Speaking at the meeting, the chief minister said Odisha would complete 100 years of its formation as separate state in 2036. As Mahatab was one of those great leaders who contributed in this regard, he called upon all political parties to participate in his Jayanti.

He further said another sub-committee would be formed to plan the programmes to be organised across the state throughout the year. Those who are involved in research on Dr Mahatab would be encouraged and promoted for their works. Besides, the books written by Dr Mahatab would be republished in Hindi, English and regional languages, he added.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also spoke on the life and achievements of Dr Mahatab at the meeting.

Dr Mahatab was born on November 21, 1899 and passed away on January 2, 1987.