The convention demanding price, pension and prestige for farmers was held on the premises of Jagatsinghpur Collectorate by Navnirman Krushak Sangathan.
"Farmers gathering have been organised in eight States and I will tour throughout the country in coming days. The fight has started, going to jail for welfare of farmers and country is a pride for us," said Hazare.
He demanded that a farmer should receive 1.5 times the money he/she spends towards agriculture and a farmer beyond 60 years should be entitled to receive pension.
Hazare also paid tributes to former Chief Minister of Odisha and freedom fighter Nabakrushna Choudhury on the occasion of his 116th birth anniversary today.
Hazare also sought a pledge from all to quit drinking.
"Has anyone heard that a person becoming strong by drinking liquor or smoking cigarettes? One will only get cancer and tuberculosis by consuming them. People don't think who they are, from where they came, what is their responsibility and where they have to go. They only live to eat and drink," he said.
https://youtu.be/4Xz595em8t0
In a tweet, Sehwag paid tributes to Baji Rout, the youngest Martyr of India’s freedom struggle.
"On this Children’s Day it’s time we know about Shaheed Baji Rout, from Nilakanthpur in Orissa, the youngest Martyr of India’s freedom struggle. At the age of 12, this young boy was on guard of a country boat and was ordered by the British troop to ferry them across river Brahamani,” Sehwag tweeted.
Born on October 5, 1926 in Nilakanthpur in Dhenkanal, Baji Rout was a member of Banar Sena (Children Wing) of the Prajamandal Andolan.
He was killed by the British for defying their orders by not ferrying them across Brahmani River on October 11, 1938.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the other hand thanked Virender Sehwag for remembering Baji Rout on the occasion of Children's Day.
“Thank you @virendersehwag for remembering Saheed Baji Rout. His saga of bravery will inspire patriotism in children across generations’ #ChildrensDay,” said Patnaik in a tweet message.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed his gratitude to Virender Sehwag for remembering Baji Rout's sacrifice.
"On behalf of the whole Odia Community, express my gratitude to @virendersehwag for remembering Baji Rout, the youngest Martyr of Indian Freedom Movement & sharing his story in detail. Baji Rout is the symbol of true Odia Pride & Veeru gave his bravery a global canvas today," Pradhan wrote in a tweet.
https://youtu.be/aylF517tGzY
Neither government nor any social organisation has come forward to save the historical places, villagers alleged.
Once many fighters sacrificed their life for the cause of the country when the slogan of Gandhiji's 'Do or Die' reverberated in Inchudi village, an obscure hamlet in Remuna block of the district. But, the Samadhis of the valiant heroes, which remind of the historic occasion, today lie in a dilapidated condition. Even the salt Satyagrah memorial pillar stands neglected due to lack of maintenance.
"This historical place needs urgent attention of government. Otherwise it would vanish in near future," said Harish Chandra Jena, a teacher of Labana Satyagrah Smruti Vidyapeeth.
Another village, Srijanga which bears testimony to the great freedom struggle has also fallen victim to similar situation. A museum set up in the village for conservation of pictures and other materials associated with the freedom movement is also in a decrepit condition. The memorial plaques are in a state of ruin while photos of those who sacrificed their life are in need of serious attention.
"We can't maintain the museum due to lack of government funds. The roof of the building has become so weak that it can't resist rain and wind," said Hrusikesh Behera, a villager.
As the Quit India Movement was launched in August, the occasion is also known as August Movement or August Kranti, a civil disobedience movement initiated to end British rule in India.
According to sources, Sujata who had to go to Jeypore boarded a wrong train to Balasore. She was left stranded in Balasore without having enough money to return to Jeypore. Currently, she is in custody of Balasore women’s association.
Also Read: Paika revolt: Modi felicitates Odia freedom fighters’…
After coming to know about the episode, the Chief Minister ordered the collector of Balasore to arrange her safe return to Jeypore.
Notably, Laxmi was part of the women's unit of Azad Hind Fauj.
Felicitating family members of 16 freedom fighters, who fought in the 1817 Paika rebellion in Odisha against the British rule, Modi said, "Unfortunately, the history of freedom struggle was restricted to a few families, years and a few incidents. It was a massive people's movement for many years and the present generation must know about it."
Hailing the role of tribals in the war of independence as "significant", the Prime Minister said in order to recreate and remember their contributions, steps were being taken to have virtual museums at 50 places in the country.
The government seeks to present before the present and future generations the sacrifices made by the tribal communities in the country's freedom struggle, he said at a function organised at the Raj Bhavan here.
As several events took place for many years of the freedom struggle, it is important to remember all such events, he said.
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Noting that the contribution made by the people of Odisha was significant, Modi said the glorious chapters of history serve as inspiration and people should link themselves with the past.
History plays an important role in fulfilment of dreams in the journey of human life, he said.
Remembering and knowing about the lives of those who made supreme sacrifice for the country is necessary, the prime minister said after honouring the family members of the freedom fighters with shawls and citation.
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"It is a proud moment for me to remember the sacrifices made by the martyrs. I am fortunate to meet their family members," said Modi while describing the Paika rebellion as one of the major historical events in the war of independence.
Modi honoured the family members of freedom fighters - Jayee Rajguru, Buxi Jagabandhu, Samant Madhab Chandra Routray, Pindiki Bahubalendra, Krutibas Patsani, Dama Subudhi Mangaraj, Chakra Bisoyee, Rendo Majhi, Veer Surendra Sai, Chakhi Khuntia, Madho Singh, Raghunath Mohanty, Dibakar Parida, Laxman Nayak, Laxmi Indira Panda and Dinabandhu Samantray Mohapatra.
The Paikas were the traditional landed militia of Odisha and in 1817, Paikas of Khurda and other parts of the state had raised their strong voice against the British rule and waged a war against them.
The Paikas were led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, the former bakshi or commander of the forces of the king of Khurda.
Bhubaneswar: The mortal remains of noted socialist leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Rabi Ray was today consigned to flames at his native village in Khurda district with full state honours.
Ray's nephew lit the funeral pyre at Bhanragarh village in the presence of hundreds of people including Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, former rpt former JD-U president Sharad Yadav, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patsani, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Das Burma and Athagarh MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain.
Ray's body was taken to his village for cremation in a procession and was given the gun salute.
Earlier Odisha governor S C Jamir, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, several MPs and MLAs had paid floral tributes to the departed leader at the Lohia Bhavan here.CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury and party's West Bengal unit secretary S K Mishra also condoled on the death of Ray, who was one of the noted socialist leaders in the country.
Patnaik said Ray's death marked the end of an era, Nitish Kumar said the former Lok Sabha speaker was like a guardian for him and for many others in the socialist movement.
The state observed a one-day mourning today in his honour and the national flag was flown half mast on all government buildings for the day.
Ray is survived by his writer wife Saraswati Swain.
He was one of the last surviving socialist leaders who were closely associated Ram Manohar Lohia's revolutionary saga.
After over three decades of active politics, Ray called it a day in 1997 to be closely associated with Loka Janashakti, an organisation espousing the cause of socialism.
The foundation of Ray's distinguished political career was laid when he was elected president of the students union of the premier Ravenshaw College in Cuttack in 1948-49. Later, he became president of the Madhusudan Law College Students Union in 1949-50.
Ray had also plunged into the freedom struggle. He courted arrest in 1947 fighting for unfurling of the National Flag in educational institutions. Though India was still not free, Britishers yielded to the students demand.
A believer in socialism from college days, Ray joined the Socialist Party in 1948 while still a student. Due to his innate qualities of leadership and commitment to the socialist cause, he remained in the forefront of the socialist movement.
During 1953-54, he held the post of joint secretary of All India Samajwadi Yuvak Sabha. In 1956 under the leadership of Rammanohar Lohia he founded the Socialist Party in Odisha, then called Orissa.
He was also a member of the national executive of the Socialist Party and in 1960 became its general secretary.
Ray's innings in Parliament began in 1967 when he was elected to the fourth Lok Sabha from Puri. He was the leader of the parliamentary party of Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP).
He was known for his outspoken and forthright views and for constructive opposition.
He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1974 and completed his full term of membership in 1980.
He was jailed in Ambala during JP movement (emergency). Impressed by Ray s selfless service, former prime minister Moraji Desai had inducted him into his cabinet as health and family welfare minister in January 1979. Ray continued in that post till January 1980.
Rabi Ray returned to Lok Sabha on Janata Dal ticket from Kendrapara in 1989 and was unanimously elected speaker of the ninth Lok sabha.
His tenure witnessed both the victory and defeat of V P Singh government in a vote of confidence.
Lok Sabha proceedings were also telecast live for the first time when Ray was the speaker.
Another important decision taken by Ray as speaker was admitting the first ever notice of a motion for presenting an address to the president for removal of a Supreme Court judge.
He had admitted the notice and set up a committee to investigate the grounds in which the removal was prayed for.
Also Read: Former LS Speaker & Union Minister Rabi Ray passes away
The motion was finally decided by the 10th Lok Sabha and the judge had to quit.
In order to provide opportunities to the MPs for raising matters of urgent public importance, Ray had brought in change in institutional arrangement to regulate proceedings during the zero hour for better utilisation of time.
Ray has also edited 'Samata', an Odia monthly, and 'Chaukhamba', a Hindi weekly brought out by the erstwhile Socialist Party. He had also authored a book Parliamentary Diplomacy' which was very well received.
This iconic ceremony takes place in Presidential Estate in Raisina Hill every year, but due to COVID-19 pandemic, the event will not be organised this year. In view of the situation, the district magistrates will personally go to awardees’ residence and honour them with the award while adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines.
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However, when names fighting for the country’s independence are recalled, history has probably failed to give its due to Baji Rout who took bullets on his head for refusing British troops to ferry them across river Brahmani on the fateful night.
Born on October 5, 1926, Baji Rout hailed from Nilakanthpur under Bhuban block of Dhenkanal district and joined ‘Banar Sena’, the children’s wing of Prajamandal (Party of People).
Baji Rout was a boatman at the Brahmani river ghat and as an active member of Prajamandal, he had volunteered to keep watch on the movement of the British troops by the river at night.
On the dead night of October 10, 1938, Baji, who was in charge of a country boat at the ghat and was sleeping when a group of British police officials, approached him to ferry them on the other side of Brahmani River. However, the courageous 12-year-old boy refused to obey the orders.
Angry over his refusal, the Britishers asked him again to ferry them across the river on his boat but Baji remained stubborn. A policeman open-fired at Baji on his head leading his death on the spot.
Many political leaders including Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, President of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Niranjan Patnaik, National BJP Vice-President Baijayant Panda paid tributes to the youngest martyr of India's freedom struggle, Baji Rout today on his 94th birth anniversary.
ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ବୀର ସ୍ଵାଧୀନତା ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ,ଦେଶର ସର୍ବକନିଷ୍ଠ ଶହୀଦ ବାଜି ରାଉତଙ୍କ ଜୟନ୍ତୀରେ ମୋର ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି। ସ୍ବାଧୀନତା ପାଇଁ ମାତ୍ର ୧୨ ବର୍ଷ ବୟସରେ ପ୍ରାଣବଳୀ ଦେଇଥିବା ଏହି ଅମର ବୀରଙ୍କ ତ୍ୟାଗ ଓ ବୀରତ୍ଵ ସର୍ବଦା ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ହୋଇ ରହିବ। pic.twitter.com/eGLkFdyMDK
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 5, 2020
ଭାରତର କନିଷ୍ଠତମ ଶହୀଦ ତଥା ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ବୀର ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ ଶହୀଦ ବାଜି ରାଉତଙ୍କ ଜୟନ୍ତୀ ଅବସରରେ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି । pic.twitter.com/pX2rOmQIxr
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) October 5, 2020
ଦେଶର ସର୍ବ କନିଷ୍ଠ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ ବାଜି ରାଉତ, ଯିଏ କି ୧୨ ବର୍ଷ ବୟସରେ ବ୍ରିଟିଶମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ଲଢ଼ି ଶହୀଦ ହୋଇଥିଲେ, ଏହି ମହାନ ବରପୁତ୍ରଙ୍କୁ ମୋର ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି। pic.twitter.com/eF0Qtnng3Z
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) October 5, 2020
.@PandaJay pays heartfelt tributes to the youngest martyr in the history of our freedom struggle, Veer Shaheed Baji Rout on his Jayanti.
He will always be remembered for his courage, bravery and selfless sacrifice for the motherland. pic.twitter.com/ZlGBx4Cd04— Office of Jay Panda (@mp_office) October 5, 2020
(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)
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Locals claim to hear wails of torture followed by chants of ‘Vande Mataram’ escaping the brick walls of this ramshackle structure sending shivers down the spines in the dead of the night.
This 90-year-old jail at the Treasury and Tehsil office in Nabrangapur, which is a symbol of Odisha’s unputdownable struggle against the British occupation forces, is a sight of neglect and apathy at present.
As we celebrate the 100th year of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Odisha today, a flashback of the sacrifices of our freedom fighters on the face of the most inhuman torture in the cellular (read molecular) jail at Nabarangpur makes us bow down our heads in respect to those brave hearts of Odisha. They embraced torture, incarceration, and death while chanting the lore of the motherland so that the future generation could breathe the sweet air of freedom.
Built around 1932, this jail served as a transit detention center for prisoners who were later shifted to Koraput and Berhampur jails following the announcement of punishment by the courts, which never went in favor of the freedom fighters.
Splashes of the blood of the incarcerated freedom fighters can be seen on the walls of the dark and dingy cells of the prison. Only 14 tiny cells which housed no less than 250 prisoners speak volumes about the level of inhuman treatment and torments they had been subjected to.
Locals say the chants of Vande Mataram and screams of torture that resonates through the jail on countless nights perhaps belong to the fighters while attaining martyrdom in those dark years.
Tragically, the prison cells that once housed freedom fighters of the likes of Dr. Sadashiv Tripathy (who went on to become the Chief Minister of Odisha after independence), Sonu Majhi, Martyr Baga, Pujari, Mohammed Baji, Jagannath Tripathy, and Miru Harijan are all but good.
Huge banyan trees coming out of the walls of the jail and brick openings providing shelter to squirrels and sparrows makes one ponder our will to preserve our legacy and history.
However, the good news is that the movement to declare the jail as a National Monument is gaining ground with every passing day, of late. Muna Tripathy, president of the Odisha Saheed Smriti Committee, said, "We have submitted multiple memorandums to the Chief Minister and the Governor with prayers to preserve this monument. However, our prayers have fallen in deaf ears,” Tripathy said adding, “however, we are not going to give up.”
Similarly, another concerned local, Uttam Tripathy said, "Given the present condition of the structure, the future generation will never be able to see this edifice that stands testimony to the supreme sacrifice our ancestors made for getting us freedom. I request the administration to preserve the jail so that generations will see and get inspired."
Meanwhile, District Collector, Ajit Kumar Mishra while admitting to the negligence in maintaining the structure, said he would ensure the repair and preservation of the jail.