Will Prez Lay Stone Of ‘Paika Bidroha’ Memorial During Odisha Visit?

Bhubaneswar: President Ram Nath Kovind is likely to lay the foundation stone of ‘Paika Bidroha’ memorial in Khurda during his two-day visit to Odisha later this month.

“If the President gives his contest, the ceremony will be held on September 27,” Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told mediapersons on Saturday.

On September 6, the Odisha government had agreed to provide 10 acres of land for a ‘Paika Bidroha’ memorial on Barunei foothills on the outskirts of Khurda town.

The Centre has also made special provision in the Union Budget for construction of the memorial to commemorate 200 years of the first armed rebellion against the British.

“The proposed memorial will showcase heroic saga and valour of the Paikas. This will inspire the future generation,” Dharmebdra said after visiting the proposed site along with Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi.

According to the itinerary, the President will arrive at Biju Patnaik International Airport here in a special flight at 6 pm on September 27. He will have various engagements in the Odisha capital during the day and make a night halt at the Raj Bhawan.

On September 28, he will leave for Gopalpur in Ganjam district at 6.10 am. He will attend a function at the Army Air Defence College at Golabandha. He will leave Golabandha at 11 am and return to Bhubaneswar before leaving for New Delhi.

Ahead of the visit, Odisha DGP BK Sharma chaired a high-level meeting to review the security arrangements for the President.