The Inauguration of the 125th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Utkal Keshari Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab will be held tomorrow at Vigyan Bhawan, 11.30 AM onwards. President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu will be the Chief Guest on the occasion. Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Culture & Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Mohan Charan Majhi will also be present during the event.

Member of Parliament from Cuttack and son of Dr. Hareukrushna Mahtab, Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab will also be part of the programme honouring the impact and legacy of the Lion of Odisha.  

In the honour of Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab, the event will witness the release of a special commemorative stamp and coin. Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture has prepared a monograph in Odia, an English translation of Gaan Majlis and a Hindi translation of Gaon Majlis for release during tomorrow’s programme.

Furthermore, an exhibition on his life and legacy has been put together by the Ministry of Culture. The exhibition will also showcase the works of Odia artists who have been in Delhi for the past few days, taking part in the National Painting Camp being organised by Lalit Kala Akademi, an autonomous organisation under Ministry of Culture. 

Smt. Susmita Das will pay tribute to the rich history and culture of Odisha through a musical programme.

Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab, also known as "Utkal Keshari," was born on 21 November 1899, in Agarpara, Odisha. He was a multifaceted leader in Indian history, known as a freedom fighter, politician, historian, writer, social reformer, and journalist. He was deeply influenced by figures like Swami Vivekananda, Ramkrishna Paramhansa and Mahatma Gandhi. His political career began during his college years when he joined the freedom movement, participating actively in events such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha etc. He was arrested multiple times for his activism and was instrumental in the integration of Odisha into the Union of India.

Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab was the last Prime Minister of the princely state. Later as Chief Minister in independent India, he focused on Odisha's industrialization and advocated for the state's economic development. Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab was also a significant literary figure, writing extensively in both Odia and English and winning accolades for his work, including the historical account ‘History of Orissa’ and won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983 for ‘Gaon Majlis’. He also served as the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry and was elected to the Lok Sabha unopposed in 1962.

Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab is remembered for his strong will, determination, and influence, earning recognition as one of the state's foremost leaders.

****

Beena Yadav