Sambalpur, Jan 23: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday paid rich tributes to legendary freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai on his 218th birth anniversary, describing his contribution to India’s freedom struggle as “incomparable and inspirational.”

ମହାନ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ ବୀର ସୁରେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସାଏଙ୍କ ୨୧୮ତମ ଜନ୍ମ ଜୟନ୍ତୀ ଅବସରରେ ତାଙ୍କ ଜନ୍ମମାଟି ଖିଣ୍ଡା ଗ୍ରାମରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ଯୋଗଦେଇ ମୁଁ ନିଜକୁ ଧନ୍ୟ ମନେ କରୁଛି । ଆଜି ନେତାଜୀ ସୁଭାଷ ଚନ୍ଦ୍ର ବୋଷଙ୍କ ଜୟନ୍ତୀ ଅବସରରେ ସମଗ୍ର ଦେଶ ‘ପରାକ୍ରମ ଦିବସ’ ପାଳନ କରୁଛି । ଦେଶକୁ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ଦେବାରେ ନେତାଜୀ ସୁଭାଷ ଚନ୍ଦ୍ର… pic.twitter.com/RZqcxQbmKs

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 23, 2026

Participating in a commemorative programme at Khinda village in Sambalpur district, the birthplace of the revolutionary hero, Pradhan said he felt privileged to join the celebrations. He noted that the day also coincided with the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, observed nationwide as Parakram Diwas, and underlined the unmatched sacrifices of both leaders in the fight against colonial rule.

Highlighting the role of Sai’s family, Pradhan recalled the sacrifices of Chhabila Sai and Udant Sai, stressing that Udant Sai’s 47 years of imprisonment for the cause of the motherland was “extraordinary and unparalleled.” He said it was the collective responsibility of the nation to ensure that the untold stories of these heroes reached both national and international platforms.

The Minister also drew attention to the freedom struggle from Kudapali village, comparing its significance to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and announced plans for a grand memorial at Kudapali to keep alive the glorious history of the Sambalpur uprising. He emphasised that history should not merely be remembered but should serve as inspiration for future generations.

Pradhan further suggested that schoolchildren from the district should be brought to Khinda to connect them with the heroic legacy of their land. “Only when the youth imbibe courage and self-respect will they become self-reliant, and the dream of an Atmanirbhar Odisha will be realised,” he said.

During his visit, the Minister also met the descendants of Veer Surendra Sai and received their blessings. He described their family’s sacrifices and resilience against British rule as a source of eternal inspiration for the nation.

ବିପ୍ଳବୀ ବୀର ସୁରେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସାଏଙ୍କ ଦାୟାଦମାନଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟି ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଆଶୀର୍ବାଦ ନେବାର ସୌଭାଗ୍ୟ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ହେଲା । ବ୍ରିଟିଶ ଶାସନ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧରେ ସାଲିସହୀନ ସଂଗ୍ରାମ କରିଥିବା ଏହି ମହାନ ପରିବାରର ତ୍ୟାଗ ଓ ସ୍ୱାଭିମାନ ଆମ ଜାତି ପାଇଁ ସଦାସର୍ବଦା ପ୍ରେରଣାର ଉତ୍ସ ହୋଇ ରହିବ ।#VeerSurendraSai#Sambalpur #Odisha pic.twitter.com/WGJ0FRXEwf

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 23, 2026

Know about Veer Surendra Sai

Born in 1809 in Khinda, Sambalpur, Veer Surendra Sai was one of the foremost leaders of resistance against British colonial rule in Odisha. He played a pivotal role in sustaining the 1857 uprising in the region, mobilising local forces and tribal communities against imperial oppression.

Sai’s indomitable courage, strategic acumen, and ability to inspire mass resistance made him a symbol of valour. Despite repeated imprisonment and hardships, Sai never compromised on his ideals of freedom and justice. His sacrifice and martyrdom remain etched in India’s collective memory as a testament to the spirit of resistance and patriotism.