: Different socio-cultural organisations celebrated the 176th Jayanti of Utkalgaurav Madhusudan Das, here on Friday. The day is also celebrated as the Lawyers Day.
The Nabin Pathagar and Sahitya Pratisthan organised a meeting to mark the event which was presided over by the president of the Pratisthan and Editor of Odia weekly “Nabin” Rabi Rath. Renowned scientist Dr Damburudhar Sahu joined the event as the chief guest, while noted poet Krushna Chandra Tripathy graced as chief speaker. Senior scribe Bighneswar Sahu joined as guest of honour. The speakers recollected the contributions of Madhubabu as chief architect in the formation of modern Odisha. Among others, social worker and convenor of MASM advocate Abani K Gaya, educationist Rajendra Kumar Panda and chairperson of Karambha Commando Ramakrushna Patra spoke.
Similarly, the cultural unit of Manav Adhikar Surakshya Manch (MASM) “Pujya Puja Samiti” led by its convenor Abani Gaya also celebrated the event at Gandhinagar Square. Samiti president Bansidhar Bhuyan garlanded the statue of Madhubabu and presided over the meeting.
Bhuyan said that Madhubabu resigned from the post of Minister in protest as his demand that “Ministers should not be paid salary” was not accepted by the Government. Among others, scribe Rabi Rath, SS Rao, S Mohanty, Amulya C Panda, Kabiraj Sahu, Shyamsundar Khadanga, Dr Nakul Sahu, Lal Bahadur Pattnaik, S Prakash Patra and Gurushree Sankarshan Patra joined the event. The speakers paid floral tributes to Madhubabu.
Ganjam Zilla Bikash Manch led by its president Rajendra Panda also observed the Madhu Jayanti. A brief meeting was held presided over by Panda. A band of prominent citizens including Dr Siba Prasad Mishra, Lakshmi Charan Panda, A Gaya, B Bhuyan, SS Khadanga and poet Sagar Ranjan Tripathy joined.