The Utkal Sammilani Central Committee on Wednesday paid rich tributes to the architect of separate Odisha State Parala Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Dev on his 48th death anniversary. Members of the organisation garlanded the statue of Maharaja at AG Square and recalled the great contributions made by him for Odisha.
A meeting was organised in collaboration with Odia Language and Literature Department. Addressing the gathering, former Minister Prafulla Samal, Odia Language and Literature Department Deputy Director Lakhmidhar Behera, educationist Ramesh Chandra Patal Singh, Gayak Surendra Nath Chhotaray, Sammilani general secretary Dr Radhanath Praharaj and political leader Bhrugu Buxipatra highlighted the various aspects Maharaja’s life and his vision for development of the State.
Speakers said the Parala Maharaja had placed strong arguments and evidences before the then Simon Commission, Major Attalli and Odnel Committee and participated in the Roundtable meeting twice to put up Odisha’s case. He had also conceptualised the development of irrigation system, set up special schools for girls and taken many initiatives for the development of industries, art and culture during his tenure as the first Prime Minister of Odisha.
The Sammilani demanded establishment of a museum in his memory and development of the royal palace at Paralakhemundi.