New Delhi, Nov 21: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday led the nation in paying homage to noted freedom fighter, one of the makers of modern India and the first Chief Minister of Odisha, Utkal Keshari Dr Harekrushna Mahatab.

A grand event was organised at Bigyan Bhawan in New Delhi today. A commemorative postage stamp and a memorable coin on Dr Mahatab were released on his 125th Birth Anniversary.

President Murmu inaugurated the event. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahatab attended the event and highlighted Mahatab's contribution to the nation and formation of Odisha on language basis.

The President remembered Dr. Mahatab as 'a great personality, 'a great talent', 'an eminent freedom fighter', 'social worker, 'a proud son' and a statesman of the country.

She talked about how she got opportunities to listen to Dr Mahatab's simple comprehensible speech during her college life.
"During my college life, I got opportunities to listen to Dr Mahtab's valuable speeches. He was speaking valuable issues in simple language," said Murmu.

The President said Dr Mahatab's 'Gaon Majlis' column in Prajatantra brought revolutionary socioeconomic changes in the rural Odisha.

Highlighting Dr Mahatab's contributions to the freedom struggle, Murmu said Dr Mahatab spread the message of Mahatma Gandhi across the State. A connotation still exists in his name "Hari Mahata Anila Gandhi Chhata", meaning Harekrushna Mahatab spread the thoughts and feelings of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Dr. Mahatab was jailed several times during 'Salt Revolution and Quit India Movement," said the President.
She said Dr Mahatab was dear to Subhas Chandra Bose. When appointed Congress president in 1938, Bose included Dr Mahatab in the party as an executive member.

Murmu talked about Mahatab's contributions to the formation of Odisha on a language basis. She also remembered him as the last Prime Minister of Odisha during pre-Independence and the first Chief Minister of State post-Odisha.

She narrated how the Hirakud Dam, envisioned and constructed by the efforts of Dr. Mahtab, brought about development in the agriculture sector in Odisha. By his efforts, capital was shifted to Bhubaneswar, she said.

She thanked the Union Government for celebrating Dr Mahatab's 125th Birth Anniversary at the national level.
She hoped that Dr Mahatab's contributions and love for the State would continue to inspire people for generations.

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