The Great Odisha famine of 1865- 66 was a catastrophe. Undoubtedly, it was a significant event in the history of the State and its effect can be even felt today. Simply, it was a dark experience, said Governor SC Jamir on Monday.
Inaugurating a national seminar on 150th year of Na-Anka (Great Odisha Famine 1865-66) and Food Security in Contemporary Odisha jointly organised by Pipli Sanskrutika Parishad and National Seminar Committee on Na- Anka at the OUAT here, the Governor said 70 per cent of the people of the State are dependent on agriculture.
Jamir said modernising agriculture is important. Improved varieties of paddy need to be used for better yield. Therefore the need of the hour is more investments in agriculture to reduce poverty, said the Governor, commending the organisers for choosing a subject, which is even relevant today.
lt General Narayan Mohanty, who presided over the function, in his address said a million people or one-third of the population perished in the famine. In contemporary times, despite improvement in all sectors, starvation deaths are taking place in Nagada and Kashipur. Food security is a thrust area for all human beings. But have we learnt anything from the famine, he questioned.
Former Vice -Chancellor of the Utkal University of Culture Bimalendu Mohanty speaking on the famine said it was mass murder perpetrated by the British. It can be called genocide. He narrated an incident of that time when the then sensitive Collector of Baleswar tried to distribute money among the starved people. He was mobbed and thrashed by the famished mob for trying to play a Good Samaritan.
Vice - Chancellor of OUAT SN Pushupalak said the famine took place because of the failure of south -west monsoon. At that time, the State was isolated from the rest of the country due to poor infrastructure and lack of communication facilities.
Former Professor of History of Utkal University Atul Pradhan, recalling the history of the famine, said coastal areas were most affected in the famine except Puri and Banpur. But Ganjam was not affected. Despite the crop loss, import of food grains could have saved the situation. But the then Commissioner of Revenue TE Ravenshaw was against import of food grains. He thought there were enough stocks.
Former Information Commissioner Jagadananda said the horrific incident was due to the failure of the then Government, hoarders and Zamindars. However, in contemporary times despite manifold growth in the Budget (`95,000 crore in 2016- 17) and Relief Code, between 1997 and 2008, 30,000 farmers have committed suicide. There is a need for organic measures in place of synthetic measures in the farming sector. There is a need too for nutritious sensitive agriculture, he opined.
Pipili Sanskrutika Parishad president RC Mohapatra delivered the vote of thanks.