The Utkal Sammilani Central Committee and Mancheswar-Silpanchal Branch observed the 108th death anniversary of Sriram Chandra Bhanjdeo here on Saturday.
While the Central Committee president Basanta Kumar Tripathy presided, general secretary Dr Radhanath Prahraj conducted the meeting.
The speakers praised the former King of Mayurbhanj for his efforts in saving Odia language and formation of the Odisha province.
They recounted how Bhanjdeo believed in democratic principles despite being a king.
The members also lamented the negligence of State administration in not garlanding the statue of Bhanjdeo at Power House Square and urged the Government to give due regards to the son of the soil from the next year.
Among others, Dr Banambar Parida, Prof Dr Kashinath Rath, Trinath Samantray, Pathani Jena, Jugal Kishjore Nayak, Sibanarayan, Pradip Kumar
Khuntia, Bairagi Sethy, Nikhil Prasad Dash, Surendra Pail and Ramesh Chandra Sahu were present.
The Mencheswar-Silpanchal branch of the Sammilani also observed the day by garlanding the statue of Bhanjdeo.
Branch president Dillip Dashsharma presided over the meeting attended by advisor Nimai Charan Das, vice president Sital Chandra Mohanty, secretary Govinda Chandra Subudhi, joint secretary Ashok Paltasingh, Basanti Tripathy, Maheswar Biswal, Siba Prasad Mishra, Nalini Kumar Mohanty, Ajaya Kumar Kanungo, Niramnjan Patra, Akhaya Jethi and Ajaya Kumar Das.