President lays foundation stone for Paika Rebellion Memorial

Bhubaneswar: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the Paika Rebellion Memorial at Barunei Hill in Khordha.

Paika Rebellion of 1817 was India’s first organised armed rebellion against the oppressive rule of the East India Company.

“The memorial, after getting established, will play a major role in making youths and tourists aware about the legends of paikas. I thank Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for their efforts towards establishment of the memorial,” he added. 

The President also remembered the sacrifices of Jai Rajguru and Buxi Jagabandhu.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reiterated the demand to accord Paika rebellion as the first war of Independence of the country and run an express train from Odisha in the name of Buxi Jagabandhu.

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Prahlad Joshi, Pratap Sarangi and Odisha Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi were present.