An extramural lecture on “legacy of Madhusudan Das: An Enduring Significance for 21st Century” was organised on June 25 Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy of Utkal University here.
Prof Ranjan Kumar Bal presided, while the Rajya Sabha Joint Secretary SN Sahu spoke on the topic.
Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das was one of the legendary spokespersons for the socially and economically marginalised sections in the pre independence era.
He was the person remembered for his relentless struggle to allow women in practice of legal profession. In fact, Sudhanshubala Hazra, Madhubabu’s adopted daughter, is well known as the first woman lawyer in our country, said Sahu
He further said that was instrumental in advocating for economic justice for the marginalised by establishing Utkal Tannery. Gandhiji was so impressed by the efforts of Madhubabu that he himself opened a tannery in his Sabarmati Ashram.
Madhubabu’s struggle against caste based oppression and social inequality is already well documented. Madhubabu realised the role of cleanliness long back in 1920s and had advocated for concepts like toilets for all at that time while our policy makers took seven odd decades to realise this and we see programmes like Swachhata Abhiyan only recently, said Sahu.