Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi paid floral tributes to Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das, fondly known as ‘Madhu Babu’ and the ‘Grand Old Man of Odisha,’ on his birth anniversary.
Das, a revered freedom fighter and social reformer, was the key figure behind the creation of Odisha as a separate state based on linguistic identity on April 1, 1936.
“We offer our heartfelt tributes to Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das on his birth anniversary,” said Chief Minister Majhi.
He highlighted Das’s pivotal role in leading the movement for a separate Odisha state and his lifelong dedication to the state’s development, pride, and industrial growth.
Majhi noted that Madhu Babu established several industries to promote Odisha’s economic progress.
Leaders from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress also honored Das on this occasion.
BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik wrote, “I pay my tributes to Utkala Gourab Madhusudan Das, a symbol of Odia pride, on his birth anniversary. His unparalleled contributions to the formation of a separate Odisha state, industrial development, and the preservation of the Odia language continue to inspire us.”
Born on April 28, 1848, in Satyabhamapur, Cuttack district, Madhusudan Das was a distinguished lawyer and the founder of Utkal Sammilani in 1903, which spearheaded the campaign for Odisha’s unification.
His tireless efforts in social reform and industrial advancement left an indelible mark on the state. In recognition of his legacy, his birth anniversary is also celebrated as ‘Lawyers Day’ in Odisha.
