On the occasion of the 83rd Foundation Day of the Azad Hind Sarkar, formed under the historic leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the Azad Hind Bahini organized a seminar titled “Natural Resources and the Next Generation” on the second day of its commemorative event.
Chaired by Jyoti Ranjan Mohapatra, National Coordinator of the Azad Hind Bahini, the seminar brought together prominent political figures, social activists, and environmentalists to discuss the preservation of Odisha’s rich resource ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Bhakta Charan Das accused the central government of hatching a deliberate conspiracy to exploit Odisha’s mineral wealth. He criticized the state’s “double-engine government” for failing to safeguard its natural assets and pointed out that national economic growth currently favors only a handful of capitalists.
“Nearly 60% of the nation’s wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few corporates, posing a major threat to the country and its citizens,” Das remarked. He also raised concerns about the mismanagement of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and urged the upcoming generation to stay vigilant, adding that following the path of truth and satyagraha paved by Mahatma Gandhi and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is vital to saving the state and the nation.
Former Union Minister and Samanta Kranti Dal National President Braja Kishore Tripathy, renowned environmentalist Prafulla Samantara, and leaders from key opposition parties—including Dr. Prasanta Mishra (CPI State Secretary), Suresh Panigrahi (CPI-M State Secretary), Yudhishthira Mohapatra (CPI-ML Liberation State Secretary), Pratap Barik (Samajwadi Party State General Secretary), Hemant Kumar (RJD State General Secretary), and Jitendriya Behera (Forward Bloc State Secretary)—also voiced their opinions.
The speakers highlighted that amendments like the MMDR Act, 2026 threaten to hand over Odisha’s state resources to private corporations, warning that such measures could leave the resource-rich state financially drained within a few years. They emphasized that if Odisha’s vast natural wealth were properly utilized, it could tackle severe youth unemployment and fulfill local economic needs. They jointly called upon the youth to wage an uncompromising struggle inspired by Netaji’s ideals to protect state assets.
A special photo exhibition showcasing the life and journey of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was also hosted alongside the seminar.
