Mahatma Gandhi Udyan’ developed by SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) at the heart of the Steel City, Rourkela was opened for the public on 6th April 2023. MP, Sudargarh, Jual Oram, MLA, Raghunathpalli, Subrat Tarai, MLA, Rourkela, Sharda Prasad Nayak, Director In-Charge, SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), Atanu Bhowmick, President, Gandhi Peace Foundation, Odisha, Justice M R Mohanty, ED (Works), S R Suryawanshi, ED (P&A), P K Satapathy, ED (Projects), P K Sahoo, ED (MM), S Tripathy, ED (M&HS), Dr. B K Hota, CGM In-Charge (Mines), P K Rath, CGM (TA & CSR), Ajay Kumar Nayak and many other CGMs and Senior Officers of RSP, office bearers of Trade Unions and Executive Association, and representatives from various political and social organisations were present on the occasion.
The pièce de résistance of the Udyan is a magnificent statue of the Father of the Nation Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Developed as a tribute to the Gandhijee, the Udyan has several murals and messages connected to him. The three monkeys placed on a pedestal at the entrance convey the message of ‘See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.’ Along both sides of the road, boards have been installed carrying pictures of Gandhijee and his messages. Besides, there are several showpieces depicting common people in various modes and moods, while the walls of the Udyan are painted with various incidents from the life of the Mahatma.
The scenic garden has been developed near the Ispat Market just opposite the towering National flag. The artistically landscaped garden is bedecked with imaginative lightings and a colourful water fountain. Needless to say, the green and serene ambience at the Udyan will not only be a tourist attraction but will also become a retreat to relax and rejuvenate.
Jual Oram, Subrat Tarai and Sharda Prasad Nayak expressed happiness over the development of the beautiful garden dedicated to Bapujee and said that this has fulfilled a long felt need of the people of the Steel City. Atanu Bhowmick thanked everyone for the support extended in establishing the garden. Justice M R Mohapnty, spoke about the relevance of Gandhian philosophy even in current times.
The programme began with the mellifluous rendering of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite prayer, ‘Baishnaba Janato….’ by Ashalata Sarangi, an eminent singer, of the Steel city, while Dilip Das of Town Engineering Department simultaneously made a portrait of Bapu. An Odissi dance recital by the artists of Nrutya Madhuram under the guidance of Guru Subrat Bhuyan and a short play on the life and philosophies of the Mahatma presented by the artists of Sagar Rhythm directed by Sagar Jena made the occasion a truly memorable one. The function ended with recitation of Ramdhun by Ashalata Sarangi and her team. Anil Mallick, of Cold Rolling Mill anchored the show.
