The Alaka Ashram centenary celebration was inaugurated by Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal through virtual mode on Saturday.
The celebration was held at Swadhinata Sangram Bhawan here, organised by the Alka Ashram Smruti Parishad.
Speaking at the event, the Governor discussed the pre-independence freedom movement of the country. He greeted organisers hosting the 100 years celebration of Alaka Ashram.
Among others, Dr Shankar Kumar Sanyal, Gandhian Dr Bhagaban Prakash, Laxmi Das and Padmabhusan Dr Pratibha Ray delivered speeches in computer-generated form.
Centenary Committee chairman, former Collector Sangram Keshari Mohapatra informed that during his tenure as Jagatsinghpur Collector he had sanctioned Rs 20 lakh for the renovation of Alaka Ashrama. He lamented that no progress had been made of the Ashram.
Committee working chairman Gouranga Hota, Binayak Patnaik, educationists Mahendra Acharya, Banshidhar Patanaik, dramatist Kailsah Mallick and Snehamayee Acharya spoke.
A foundation stone laying ceremony of Alaka Ashram was organized at Chatara village where the original Alaka Ashram had been built 100 years back.
Utkal Mani Gopabandhu Das's great-grandson Dhirendranath Das laid the foundation stone of the new Alaka Ashrama.
Late freedom fighter Bhagirathi Mohapatra’s kin Laxmi Prakash Mohapatra has donated a piece of land for the Ashram.
Among others, historian Niharranjan Patnaik, journalist Gurukalyana Mohapatra, Sarvodaya leaders Gouranga Charan Mohapatra, Biraja Devi, educationists Er Pravakar Swain, Biswajit Ray, Binayak Patnayak, advocate GC Kanungo, Gyana Ranjan Samantray and Niranjan Barik attended.