Odisha govt should include all legendaries in govt website: Oil Minister

BHUBANESWAR: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister on Saturday questioned over the limited inclusion of names of Odisha legendaries and their noble deeds in state government’s website.

What’s the problem with the state government as it has included the names and contributions of only 11 legendaries instead of more number of illustrious persons who have devoted and sacrificed their lives for the sake of the state, asked the Minister.

Attending the birth anniversary of mass leader and former chief minister Harekrushna Mahatab on Saturday, Pradhan said the Odia community never neglects to adore and honour its heroes and great personalities.

The foundation of an enlightening future of Odias can only be laid by remembering and honouring the heroic activities of the great personalities, who have fought for the self-esteem of Odia community and their culture, tradition and literature.

Pradhan said the towering personalities like Harekrushna Mahatab, Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi, Veer Surendra Sai, Nilamani Routray, Nabakrushna Choudhury, Ramadevi, Dr Pranakrushna Parija, Dr Radhanath Rath, Gangadhar Meher, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Birsa Munda, Dharanidhar Bhuyan and even the alive persons like Rabi Ray, Ramakant Rath, Sitakanta Mahapatra and Pratibha Ray should be honoured as they are the epitomes of self-esteem.

He said the 11 illustrious persons-Phakir Mohan Senapati, Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das, Pandit Gopabandhu Das, Nilakantha Das, Biswanath Das, Gajapati Krushnachandra Dev, Raja Artatrana Deo, Biju Patnaik, Chandrasekhar Behera, Nandini Satpathy and Kalandi Charan Panigrahi- are revered by each and every Odia.

Adoring these legendaries is like honouring the Odias, said Pradhan.