Pandit Nilakantha Das, One Of The Revered ‘Pancha Sakhas’ Of Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Pandit Nilakantha Das was one of the Pancha Sakhas (comrades) of Satyabadi and a close associate of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das. On his death anniversary, let us remember this legend and his contribution to the society.

1. Nilakantha Das, popularly known as Pandit Nilakantha Das, was born on August 5, 1884 at Sri Ramapur Sasana near Satyabadi in Puri distrcit.
2. He was named Nilakantha after Lord Shiva and was born to his parents after seven girls
3. Nilakantha’s family was very large and poor.
4. Nilakantha’s first school was the village Pathasala. He was an intelligent boy.
5. He was the youngest boy of his class and was very often ragged by the older fellow students.
6. During his school days, he learnt Bengali along with English and Sanskrit.
7. He started his professional career as a teacher at Satyabadi Bana Vidyalaya.
8. He published a weekly named ‘Seba’. He was also the editor of monthly literature-based magazine ‘Nababharat’.
9. He also established a National School at Sambalpur.
10. Inspired by Gopabandhu Das, he entered politics.
11. He took over the reins of Odisha state unit of Indian National Congress after the death of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das.
12. He was elected as a honorary member of Indian Legislative Assembly (1925-30).
13. He was one of the strength of Satyagraha movement during 1935-40.
14. He was also the first president of ‘Odisha Sahitya Akademi’.

* The Pancha Sakhas are Pandit Gopabandhu Das, Acharya Hari Hara Das, Pandit Nilakantha Das, Pandit Krupasindhu Mishra and Pandit Godabarish Mishra.