leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra on Monday demanded in the State Assembly that a statue of Andhakabi Bhima Bhoi be established in the State Assembly premises and the proposed Balangir Medical College and Hospital be named after the famous poet.
“The poetic stanza by Bhoi, “Mo Jiban Pachhe Narke Padithau Jagata Udhaar Heu, Praninka Arata Dukha Apramita Dekhu Dekhu Keba Sahu” has been inscribed in the United Nations and at other places worldwide.
I demand that a statue of Bhima Bhoi be established in the Assembly premises and the upcoming Balangir Medical College and Hospital named after him in his memory,” said Mishra.
Besides, Mishra demanded conferment of Bharat Ratna for Utkalgaurab Madhusudan Das and introduction of a train from Bhubaneswar to New Delhi after his name.
Mishra wrote two letters, one to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and another to Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Monday in this regard. Describing Madhubabu as a great patriot and recounting his contribution to the formation of Odisha State and its development,
Mishra said the leader would stay etched in public memory in Odisha till the Odia race exists.
He urged CM Patnaik to recommend to the Centre on the two demands and requested PM Modi to approve of them.
He too wanted that Madhubabu’s birthplace be declared as a tourist place. Government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy supported Mishra’s proposals.