The Department of Public Relations, Government of Odisha celebrated 116th Birth Anniversary of freedom fighter Saheed laxman Naik in the premises of Brahmapur Circle Jail.
On the occasion, a meeting was held there presided over by DPRO Biranchi Pradhan. District BJD president Subash Maharana graced the event as chief guest, while BMC Vice-Chairperson Jyotsna Nayak and senior superintendent of the Brahmapur Circle Jail Raghunath Majhi were the other distinguished guests. Among others, Dr Bijaya Kumar Mohanty, Reader of Khallikote Cluster University, was the chief speaker while senior scribe and journalist Rabi Rath graced the event as guest speaker. Earlier, the dignitaries garlanded the statue of Saheed laxman Naik at Courtpeta and in the Brahmapur Circle Jail premises and paid their floral tribute to the great martyr for his contribution to Indian freedom movement.
Speakers described Naik as a great civil rights activist of eastern India who sacrificed his life for the cause of the nation. He was not only an Odia folk hero of south Odisha, but also a great cult figure among the tribals and a true patriot, speakers pointed out. Similarly, the fest was also observed by the Manav Adhikar Surakshya Manch (MASM).