MARTYR’S DAY CELEBRATED FOR VEER SAHID LAXMAN NAYAK
Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, March 29: Laxman Nayak was undisputed tribal leader of undivided Koraput district, who joined Indian freedom movement at Gandhiji’s call. He was born on 22nd November 1899 and hanged to death on 29th March, 1943 in Brahmapur jail by British Govt at a very young age of 43. During his short span of life, his contribution to the cause of civil rights of tribals and poor people of Koraput against exploitation by British police, forest and revenue officials created history almost a century ago. He led the non-violent Tribal Resistance Movement in Koraput region.
Due to Covid-19, Sahid Laxman Nayak’s death anniversary was celebrated in the district in a lucid manner following all standard operating procedures. District Collector Sri Saroj Mishra, ADM Sri Sarat Panda, Sub-Collector Sri Pratap Chandra Pradhan, DIPRO Sri Basanta Kumar Pradhan, Sri Dambarudhar Panda, District Senior Citizen Association Advisor Sri N N Padhi, octogenarian Gandhian Sri Jayaram Jena, Sarvodaya Mandal Secretary Dr Badal kumar Tah, Professor Dr.Niranjan Buxipatra, Professor Dr.Dusmanta Kumar Mohanty, Odisha Adibasi Manch State Convenor Smt Bidulata Huika, Sri Gopi Sahu, GCD Walker Club’s Secretary Sri Dipak Kumar Prusty, Sri Bommali Kanta Rao, Rayagada Nagarika Manch Convenor Sri Ajay Rath, Odisha RTI Forum President Sri Rabindra Pataklhandal, State Union of Journalist-Rayagada dist President Sri Siba Narayan Gouda and many other dignitaries of the district offered floral tributes to the freedom fighter at the statue near Sashtri Nagar, Rayagada.
During a month long yatra to schools and colleges of Rayagada by the Gandhians during the yesteryear to celebrate Gandhiji 150+ with the help of district administration and others, it was found that most of the educational institutions did not have a portrait of the son of the soil Laxman. In this context and taking opportunity of the occasion, Gandhian Sri Jena and Dr.Badal requested the Collector to distribute potraits of Sahid Laxman Nayak to be hung in all the schools, colleges and other educational institutions of the district so that the next generation sustains the knowledge base and sacrifice of a leader from this tribal hinterland. Collector Mishra assured to look into the matter after the schools are fully open and told to get prepared for the same. The Gandhians present on the occasion also discussed to revisit all those educational institutions as a follow-up measure after the Covid takes a dip. “I can only give the leadership and guidance; but a joint and concerted effort by the denizens of Rayagada will further all round development of the district”, said Collector Mishra.
