It was for taking a pledge for independence in a public gathering in 1942 at Jajpur, Nilamani Samal of Balipadia village of the district was sent to a Cuttack jail for two years.
Nilamani (93) has vivid memories of the freedom movement. His house was a rendezvous point for many great leaders like Brunadaban Tripathy, Nabakrushna Chaudhury, Malati Devi, Surendra Diwedi , Nityananda Kanungoo and others. He was felicitated by the President in the Rastrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on August 9.
During the Quit India’ Movement, though most demonstrations had been suppressed by 1944, Britain’s place in the world had changed dramatically and the demand for independence could no longer be ignored, said Nilamani, who also started movement against the local Zamindar Darpani during the freedom movement. Nilamani built a high school at Barada near his village.
He had taken a lead role in launching anti-British movement in August, 1942 . He was involved in political activities from his school days. He spent four years in jails in British India. With a son, five grand sons and other family members, Nilamani is a contented man. “I am a freedom fighter. Now I am suffering from old age ailments and my children are looking after me,” he said.
He lamented, “The road condition in my village is bad. I told the officials umpteen times to repair the roads and provide drinking water to my villagers by digging three tube wells. But the officials are not paying any heed to my pleas.”
He sees hope in the youths all around him. “The India of our dreams is yet to arrive,” he said.
“It is indeed heartening to find people like Nilamani Samal in today’s world and I am of the firm belief that he should stand out as a role model for the generation next,” said social worker Dr Suresh Chandra Dalai.
“I love to smile and be happy always. I’ve seen a lot of changes. Some things are good. Some things are bad, but I’ve learned to make do with things,” said Nilamani whose principle of living is ‘do right and live simple.’