https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddlYHLU366Y
Cuttack: The people of Odisha celebrated the birth anniversaries of firebrand freedom fighters Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Veer Surendra Sai.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today offered floral tribute to the firebrand leader and freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at Janakinath Bhawan, his birthplace-turned museum, at Odia Bazar in Cuttack on his 120th birth anniversary.
Speaking on the occasion, he said he people should remember the tremendous sacrifices and great work that Netaji did for the country.
The chief minister later went round the galleries of the museum and visited room where Netaji was born.
Tourism and Culture minister Ashok Panda, who was present on the occasion, said efforts are being made for infrastructure development of the Netaji’s birthplace and museum. “Besides, we are also trying to include the interpretation centre in front of Janakinath Bhawan in the Netaji Trust at the earliest,” he added.
Asked about Netaji’s death which is still shrouded in mystery, Panda said there have been several opinions and interpretations. “Efforts are on for unanimous opinion on this matter and we will have to wait for it,” he pointed out.
A yajna was performed at the birth room of Netaji in the morning. The museum was later kept open for the public after a Ramdhun. Several dignitaries, students and political leaders offered floral tribute to the status of the freedom fighter.
A documentary on three freedom fighters of Odisha who had joined Netaji’s Azad Hind Fauz was also screened at the museum hall.
Born in 1897, Netaji had spent his childhood days in Janakinath Bhawan. After 57 years of Independence, the Odisha government had accorded museum status to Janakinath Bhawan on January 23, 2004.
Though several political parties and NGOs have urged the Centre to accord national status to the Netaji museum, the decision is still pending.
Meanwhile, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat visited Khinda village, the birth place of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai on the occasion of his 208th birth anniversary and offered floral tribute to his statue. He also met and discussed with the family members of Sai.
The chief minister also offered floral tribute to Surendra Sai's statue inside the Odisha Legislative Assembly premises.
"I pay my heartfelt tributes to the great revolutionary, freedom fighter and leader of the people Veer Surendra Sai on his birth anniversary," he said.