New Delhi: In one of his last major acts before laying down office, President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the national-level function to commemorate the 200th year celebrations of the ‘Paika Bidroha’ (Paika Rebellion) at Vigyan Bhavan here on Thursday.
Gracing the grand occasion as the Chief Guest, the President paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the mutiny and lauded their courage in sacrificing their lives for the freedom of the country.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram and Mahesh Sharma were present during the inaugural ceremony of the bicentenary commemoration day of the historic rebellion.
Many BJD, BJP leaders, intellectuals and dignitaries were also present at the function.
President Mukherjee also felicitated 150 Paika descendants at the function.
Kalinga AI