An autobiography of veteran leftist leader Shivajee Pattnaik entitledSangharsha O Sankalpa Patha re was released here by eminent poet Padmabibhusan Dr Sitakant Mahapatra on Saturday. Unveiling the book amidst a packed audience, Dr Mahapatra hailed it as an eminently readable one, which compels an avid reader to complete its pages at one go. He further complimented Pattnaik as a historian who has left many things known within few drops of pages.
Joining the occasion as chief speaker, Prof Emeritus Dr Pravat Pattnaik of the Jawaharlal Nehru University spoke on the devastating impact of demonetisation and exhorted one and all to remain awake for achieving their Constitutional and economic rights, right to health, right to education, right to food, right to security and right to livelihood. Reviewing the book, economist Kishore Charan Samal opined that the book would not only act as a valuable document for historical research but would also serve as a catalytic agent for social transformation. He suggested that English and Hindi renderings of the book be made to reach the pan-Indian readers.
CPI(M) State secretary Ali Kishore Patnaik and Odisha Sahitya Akademi Secretary Dr Aswini Mishra analysed the book from various angles.
Author Shivajee Pattnaik made it clear that the chief purpose of writing the autobiography was that he felt it necessary to narrate the incidences of his chequered career to the masses to whom, he felt, he owes his responsibility.
The event, which was attended by intellectuals journalists and leftist ideologues, was conducted by secretary Debendra Sutar and another office-bearer Chandra Bijayee Mishra of the Charcha Publications.