|
| Home >> Orissa >> Eminent Personalities
of Orissa |
|
|
 |
Eminent Personalities
of Orissa |
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
Fakir
Mohan Senapati (1843-1918)
A Master in the art of writing
short stories, he injected a new life
in Oriya literature in an environment
of gloom and despair. His sence of humour
remains unsurpassed in Oriya literature.
Discarding romantic themes, he wrote
about the common man and his problems.
Senapati could rightly be compared with
the 20th Century great novelist like
Premchand and Bibhutibhusan Banerjee.
Eventhough he had no formaleducation,
he proved to be an enlightened teacher,
painter and a great administrator. In
his writings, Oriya Nationalism was
the dominant theme. As a recognised
literary poet, Senapati has made his
place secure as a great prose writer
in Oriya. |
|
|
|
 |
Utkal
Gourav Madhusudan Das (1848-1934)
First Oriya to get the Degree
of M.A. B.L. from Calcutta University.
Took a valiant stand for unification
of scattered Oriya tracts. Emerged on
the Eastern horizon as a symbol of new
hope and aspiration of all Oriyas. Was
the founder of Utkal Sammilani, architect
of Oriya movement and pioneer in the
field of industrial development. Acclaimed
as a great Legislator and Journalist,
he was the first Oriya to be the member
of Legislative Council and Member of
Central Legislative Assembly and was
the first to sail overseas. He had the
distinction of being the first Indian
Minister. |
|
|
|
 |
Pandit Gopabandhu
Das ( 1876-1928)
Aptly described as the Gandhi
of Orissa, Pandit Gopabandhu Das played
a pivotal role in the formation of a
separate province of Orissa.
Born and brought up in an atomsphere
of Brahminical orthodoxy, he shattered
the shackles of narrow caste barriers.
A Law Graduate from the Calcutta University.
He was an active sentinal of Oriya Movement,
Freedom Fighter and a great social reformer.
As an educationist he was responsible
for establishment of Satyabadi School
at Satyabadi in the Puri District. Imbued
with patriotic fervour the students
of Satyabadi School were known as indefatigable
fighters against British Imperialism.
Gopabandhu regarded politics as an instrument
of service to the people. In the words
of Mahatma Gandhi, Gopabandhu was one
of the Noblest Sons of Orissa.
His spirit of service and sacrifice
finds an apt echo in his following lines.
"Let my body mingle in the dust
of my motherland and let my countrymen
walk across it". |
|
|
|
 |
Nilakantha
Das (1884-1969)
Secured M.A. Degree in Philosophy
from Calcutta University. Spurned an
offer of a lucrative job by the British
Govt. and preferred to serve as the
Mead Master of Satyabadi High School.
Endowed with a profound erudition he
became a legendary figure in his life
time. A powerful speaker, his speaches
in Central Legislative Assembly and
Orissa Legislative Assembly have left
an indelible impression on Legislative
history. He was a rare amalgam of a
Writer, Editor, Speaker and Author.
Author of an excellent commentary of
Geeta. His epics are considered as Master
piece of Oriya Language. A distinguished
freedom fighter and a revolutionary,
he inspired the youth to fight against
untouchability and other social evils.
Led the movement for amalgamation
of outlying Oriya tracts and was a symbol
of Oriya culture. |
|
|
|
 |
Biswanath
Das (1989-1984)
An eminent Freedom Fighter,
able Statesman, remarkable Administrator,
astute politician and a Charismatic
leader. He was elected as the president
of the Ganjam District Board in the
year 1920 and joined the Non-cooperation
movement in response to the call of
Mahatma Gandhi in 1921 after giving
up his lucrative law practice. Continued
to be a member of Madras Legislative
Assembly from 1921 to 1930. Gave up
the membership of the Madras Legislative
Assembly in 1931 and joined Salt Satyagraha.
As a great Patriot led the peasant movement
and fought for the creation of a separate
Orissa Province. He had the distinction
of being elected as Prime Minister of
Orissa. Resigned from the Prime Ministership
on 4th November 1939 at the bidding
of Indian National congress. In 1950
got elected to Lok Sabha and became
the President of Utkal Pradesh Congress
Committee. He was appointed as the
Governor of Uttar Pradesh. A noble son
who has left an indelible impression
on a resurgent Orissa.
|
|
|
|
 |
Gajapati
Maharaja Krushna Chandra Dev ( 1892-1974)
An Architect of modern Orissa.
He attended the first Round Table Conference
in London on 16th November 1930 wherein
he made a fervent appeal for creating
a separate province of Orissa on the
basis of Language and homogeneity. As
an eloquent spokesman of Oriyas, he
was felicitated by Madhusudan Das, the
father of modern Orissa. As a scion
of illustrious Ganga Ruler he espoused
the cause of the poor and downtrodden.
Later played an important role in bringing
together the vivisected parts of Orissa
and laid the foundation of United Orissa.
He was a member of old Madras Legislative
Council, a member of royal commission
of Agriculture and a member of Orissa
Legislative Assembly. He was
twice elected as Prime Minister of Orissa.
He was an Educationist, Freedp, Fighter,
Social Reformer and a champion of the
poor. He established a permanent
theatre at Paralakhemundi for promoting
cultural activities. |
|
|
| |
Raja
Artatran Deo ( 1900-1946)
Enthroned as Raja of
Khariar, (present day Nuapada district),
in 1921. A great patron of Art, Culture
and Education. Sportsman of distinction,
member of many committees and Organisations.
Sponsored Scholarships for deserving
students for higher education. Patronised
"Beer Bikram Theatre" of Khariar, the
first permanent Oriya Stage in the State.
Nominated member of Orissa Advisory
Council. Elected to Orissa Legislative
Assembly in 1937 and 1946 from Khariar
Assembly Constituency. Played a pivotal
role in formation of Orissa as a separate
province in the year 1936. It was at
his instance and under his enlightened
leadership that Khariar Zamindari merged
with the State of Orissa leading to
full Statehood |
|
|
|
 |
Biju
Pattanaik ( 1916-1997)
Biju
Pattanaik was a trained pilot of acknowledged
competence. Had special interest in
Science and Technology and was responsible
for instituting the prestigious
International Kalinga Prize. He
was the pioneer of Industrial movement
in Orissa and was the head of Air Transport
command during the war (1940-42).
An indefatigable freedom fighter, he
led the underground movement for
freedom of the country along with Shri
Jayaprakash Narayan, Dr. Ram Mohan Lohia
and others. Landed first platoon of
troops in Srinagar during attack by
Pakistani raiders. Suceeded in safely
airlifting the Indonesia leaders during
war. He was honoured by the Indonesia
Govt. as "BHUMIPUTRA". Elected to Orissa
Legislative Assembly from 1952. Chief
Minister of Orissa from 1961-1963 and
1990-1995. Member, Rajya Sabha 1980-1984
and 11th Lok Sabha from 1996-1997. Union
Minister of Steel from July 1977 to
January 1980. He had the distinction
of laying the basic infrastructure for
development of Orissa. Special mention
could be made of Paradeep Port, MIG
Factory at Sunabeda, Ferro Silicon
Complex at Theruvali, Hydro Electric
Power Project Balimela. Thermal Power
Station, Talcher, Engineering College,
Rourkela, Engineering College and Medical
College at Burla, Express High Way linking
Dairari with Paradeep, Sainik School,
Regional College of Education, Bhubaneswar,
Regional Research Laboratory of the
Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research, Orissa University of Agriculture
and Technology and many others.
He was a great visionary
who worked relentlessly for the uplift
of the people of Orissa. |
|
|
| |
Chandra
Sekhar Behera ( 1873-1936)
Chandra Sekhar Behera of Sambalpur
was a leading freedom fighter and an
active participant in the Non-Cooperation
Movement. He consolidated the National
freedom movement in Sambalpur region
and merged his activities with the Indian
National Congress. He was a founding
member of the National School of Sambalpur
started on lines of Satyabadi Vana-Vidyalaya
founded by Gopabandhu Das. As the chairman
of Sambalpur Municipality, he received
Gandhijee in Sambalpur in 1928. Organised
a mass movement against illiteracy and
untouchability. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
