The 152nd birth day celebration of revolutionary Dharanidhar Bhuyan who had raised his voice against the tyrannical rule of king of Keojhar during British rule, was held at Joda.
The existing Macchakandana water supply project of the Keonjhar town is considered as the dream project of Dharani who after attaining his surveyor qualification was appointed in the Darbar. But due to his pro-people attitude, he was suspected by the king and later put into the jail at Cuttack.
Dharani also spent the last part of his life as a saint at Cuttack and leaders like Gopabandhu and Madhubabu were in regular touch with him.
However, he is considered as a true patriot by the Keonjhar people in general and messiah by the Bhuyan community, the adivasi community within and outside the district.
Remembering his contribution to the society, the speakers paid deep tributes to the leader and demanded that the Joda Kalyanmandap be named as “Dharanikayan Mandap” as a respect to the leader.
DD College lecturer Sumanta Naik was the chief guest . Former MP Kalakar Naik presided. The councilors of Joda civic body, members of Senior Citizens Forum, Joda Vikash Parishad, enviornmentalist Nilandri Mishra Dilip Naik and former Joda Block Chairman Giridhari Naik were present.