At a time when almost all leaders and the cultural elite have tended to forget consistent demands for construction of a national memorial at Suando, the birthplace of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, the demonic Fani has played the biggest spoilsport.
The super storm in its unrestrained passage over Puri district had completely devastated the great soul’s native house beyond recognition with his statue standing under the open sky like a mute spectator.
Suando is situated on the banks of river Bhargabi. Gopabandhu and four of his close friends had taken oath near the burial ground close to Balapur village on the banks of the river not to undertake any Government job and render dedicated service to the motherland.
Hundreds of people used to visit Suando every year on the Utkalmani’s birthday and his memorial day to offer hearty tributes to his memory.
The room in which he was born and the statue installed at a later stage after his death were taken care of by his heirs.
But Fani had no mercy on these fund memorials and blew away the thatches and felled the walls of the house which housed the room he was born in.
Meanwhile a few social organizations have raised a demand with State Government to construct a national memorial of Utkalmani, besides full-proof protection to his ancestral house.
With the general elections being just over and the process to form Government in the State picking up, besides Government’s concentration on cyclone relief and restoration work, the demand to look at the demand for the memorial has taken a backseat.
The Utkalmani’s heirs have announced that if the Government comes forward to construct the memorial, they would extend their cooperation to their ability.
The Samaj, founded by Utkalmani, has also got a major responsibility, the cultural elite opine.
Not only his birthplace, also the Kadua Ashram founded by Gopabandhu has been devastated by the cyclone.
Unfortunately enough, the Gopabandhu Memorial School founded by Gopabandhu at Dandamukundapur near Pipili, which was to observe its centenary year celebrations this year, has faced the wrath of the cyclone which has blown away its roof of corrugated iron sheets.
People expect the State Government and Central leaders from Odisha to restore these institutions associated with one of Odisha’s greatest leaders.