Odisha pays Tribute to Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das

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KalingaTV News Network

CM offers floral tribute the statue of Gopandhu DasBhubaneswar: The people of Odisha on Monday paid rich tributes to Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das on his birth anniversary. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik offered floral tributes at the statue of Gopabandhu on the lawns of the State Assembly here.

Political leaders from different parties and people from different walks of life also paid floral tributes at the statue of Pt. Gopabandhu  Das in the capital city.

Functions have been organized across the state to remember Gopabandhu for his selfless contribution on nation building.

Born on 9 October 1877 to Swarnamayee Devi and Daitari Das in Suando Village near Puri, Pt. Gopabandhu was one of the extraordinary personalities of Odisha. His role in social transformation, educational reform, and selfless service to the down trodden people earned him the title ‘Utkalamani’ (Gem of Odisha).

Gopabandhu became the first President of the Congress party in Odisha in 1920 and led the party as its President till 1928. He had brought Gandhiji to Odisha in 1921 to inspire people to join the non-cooperation movement.

Gopabandhu founded a school named as Satyabadi Bana Bidyalaya at Sakshi Gopal near Puri in 1909. He infused patriotism among students through education and taught them the values of service to mankind.

Gopabandhu was also an eminent writer and poet. Kara Kabita, Chilika, Dharmapada and Bandi Ra Atma Katha are some of his legendary literary works.

More than anything else, Gopabandhu was the pioneer of Press Freedom in Odisha. He published a monthly magazine called ‘Satyabadi’ in 1914. On 4 October 1919, on the auspicious day of Vijayadsahami, he started the weekly newspaper The Samaj, which became the most popular daily newspaper of the state. He served as the Editor of ‘Samaj’ till his last breath.

Gopabandhu died of prolonged illness on 17 July 1928.

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