Argus News - Dharmendra Pradhan Hails Harekrushna Mahatab on 126th Birth Anniversary, Calls Him a Beacon of Odia Pride and Progress

Cuttack, Nov 21: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday described Dr Harekrushna Mahatab as a farsighted leader who elevated Odia pride from the state to the national stage.

Speaking at the 126th birth anniversary celebrations of the legendary statesman at Sarala Bhavan in Cuttack, Pradhan hailed Mahatab as “a discerning leader of Odia interests” whose vision combined regional aspirations with national priorities.

କଟକ ଠାରେ ‘ଉତ୍କଳ କେଶରୀ’ ଡ଼ଃ ହରେକୃଷ୍ଣ ମହତାବଙ୍କ ୧୨୬ତମ ଜୟନ୍ତୀ ସମାରୋହରେ ଯୋଗଦେବାର ସୌଭାଗ୍ୟ ଲାଭ କଲି । ଆଧୁନିକ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ସ୍ଥପତି ଏବଂ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ଏକ ନୂତନ ପ୍ରଭାତର ଅଗ୍ରଦୂତ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି ଡ଼ଃ ମହତାବ । ଓଡ଼ିଆ ସ୍ୱାର୍ଥକୁ ପୂରଣ କରିବାରେ ସେ ଜଣେ ବିଚକ୍ଷଣ ନେତା ଥିଲେ । ଆଜିର ଅବସରରେ ଏହି ମହାନ ପୁରୁଷଙ୍କୁ ମୋର ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି… pic.twitter.com/FK8nwimS9P

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 21, 2025

Remembering Mahatab’s Multifaceted Legacy

Pradhan paid floral tributes to Mahatab and recalled his towering personality and contributions. “Mahatab was not just a freedom fighter,” he said, “he was a reformer, an orator, a distinguished politician, poet, novelist, columnist, historian, and journalist.”

He noted Mahatab’s pivotal role in conceptualizing the Hirakud Dam, which transformed Odisha’s economy by controlling floods, enabling irrigation, and generating electricity. “He was a leader who could take a community from humiliation to dignity,” Pradhan remarked, urging political parties in Odisha to unite above partisan lines for the state’s welfare.

Architect of Odisha’s Political Integration

Highlighting Mahatab’s historic contribution after Independence, Pradhan said his greatest achievement was the political integration of Odisha. Working alongside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Mahatab ensured the merger of 26 princely states into Odisha Province. His seminal work History of Odisha, written during his imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort, remains a guiding text for policymakers even today.

Quoting former US President Abraham Lincoln, Pradhan said: “If you want your name to be remembered after your death, either do something worth writing or write something worth reading.” He emphasized that Dr. Mahtab accomplished both, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Also Read: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan To Visit Dhamnagar, To Join Unity March

Champion of Odia Literature and Media

Pradhan emphasized Mahatab’s influence on Odia literature and journalism. By founding the powerful newspaper Prajatantra, Mahatab gave Odia media a new identity. His works such as Meena Bazaar and Gaon Majlis enriched Odia prose, while his advocacy for language-based statehood helped strengthen Odia identity.

“Mahatab used literature to awaken social consciousness,” Pradhan said, calling him one of the most impactful figures in Odia letters.

Call for Collective Responsibility

At the event, Pradhan urged leaders across party lines to take responsibility for ten key areas of Odisha’s welfare, beginning with care for newborns and schoolchildren. He also announced plans to mark the conclusion of Mahatab’s 125th birth anniversary celebrations on a national scale.

The Union Minister drew parallels with ongoing national commemorations of Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary and 150 years of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Vande Mataram, noting how such milestones inspire collective pride and unity.

Visit to Cuttack Chandi Temple

During his Cuttack visit, Pradhan also offered prayers at the shrine of Goddess Cuttack Chandi, the presiding deity of the city. He was warmly received by party workers and supporters at various locations in the city.