Marking the birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighter and social reformer Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued a passionate call to the state’s youth.
He urged young citizens to balance their personal career ambitions with a deep commitment to social welfare and nation-building.
Paying floral tributes at the statue of Gopabandhu Das on the Odisha Legislative Assembly premises, Chief Minister Majhi reflected on the icon’s enduring impact as a pillar of Odia pride and cultural identity.
“Sacrificing his own comforts and happiness, he devoted his entire life to serving the poor, the neglected, and those affected by floods and cyclones,” Chief Minister Majhi stated, recalling Gopabandhu Das’s unwavering dedication to relief work during times of crisis.
Describing the icon as a pioneer of India’s independence movement, the Chief Minister underscored Gopabandhu’s commitment to Gandhian values, his simple lifestyle, and his vital contributions as a writer, poet, and reformer who used literature to ignite the spirit of freedom across the region.
Connecting historical values to current governance, Majhi pointed to his administration’s developmental roadmap, ‘Samruddha Odisha 2036’, which aims to build a prosperous state by the centenary year of Odisha’s formation.
“With our vision of building a ‘Samruddha Odisha 2036’, we must continue to work by following the principles and ideals of the great Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das,” Majhi noted, reinforcing the role of compassionate governance.
The tribute ceremony was attended by key state figures, including Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, and Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, alongside other dignitaries who gathered to honour the beloved reformer.
