Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said that the country is proud and safe today because of the sacrifices of freedom fighters like Bika Naik of Chandrabil area in Angul district, who was martyred in the Prajamandal movement in Talcher.
Pradhan today paid homage at the memorial pillar of Martyr Bika Naik at the High School campus in Badatrivida. He then went to Chandrabil village and collected holy soil from Martyr Naik's house in 'Amrit Kalas'. After that, the Union Minister went from house to house and collected soil.
Later, the Minister honoured the family members of the martyrs in a meeting, took 'Panch Pran' pledge with the villagers and participated in the Mo Mati Mo Desh campaign.
The gathering at the village read out the Panch Pran, together with the Union Minister-"We pledge to make India developed and self-reliant by 2047, we pledge to remove any trace of colonial mindset, we pledge to celebrate our heritage, we pledge to strengthen unity and respect those who protect the country and we pledge to perform the duties of a citizen.”
The Minister also unveiled a memorial plaque, paying tribute to the "heroes" who made supreme sacrifices for the country, at Chandrabil village. He also planted a sapling to mark the occasion.
On this occasion, the Union Minister said that the holy village of martyr Bika Naik is a place of pilgrimage for him. "I feel fortunate to be involved in the 'Mo Mati Mo Desh' campaign, launched by the Prime Minister, at Bika Naik's birthplace Chandrabil. It is my privilege to visit the birthplace of this martyr and honour his family members. On September 21, 1938, this region gave birth to the great son and inscribed his name in golden letters on the pages of Indian history. Naik always tried for the upliftment of the downtrodden and downtrodden people of the society," Pradhan said.
"When there was a revolt against the tyranny of the king and the British. At that time, Naik disobeyed the British order and was martyred. In order to remember and honour those martyrs, the Prime Minister has decided to collect the soil of brave fighters from all over the country under the 'Mo Mati, Mo Desh' campaign. In this context, the soil of Martyr Bika Naik's birthplace will go to Delhi. Amrit Batika will be created. This nation will always remember the sacrifice of Martyr Bika Naik," he added.
Pradhan also called upon one and all to take responsibility to make Chandrabil village a national pilgrimage site.
Earlier, the Minister also paid homage to the statue of one of the great freedom fighters of Odisha Prajamandal movement, Pabitra Mohan Pradhan, at Kaniha Santribida village.
Read: Odisha News
