Bhubaneswar: The Union Government on Wednesday announced the formation of a high-level committee to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of former Odisha Chief Minister, Utkal Keshari Harekrushna Mahatab. This marks the first time the anniversary will be celebrated at the national level under the BJP-led government in Odisha.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Culture on Wednesday, the committee, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, comprises 23 members, including retired administrators, eminent literary figures, and politicians. The notification issued by the Ministry of Culture stated that the committee will provide policy direction and guidelines for formulating programs for the commemoration.
Prominent members of the committee include Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and MP Bhartruhari Mahtab. Other notable members include Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library; Home Secretary Govind Mohan; Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju; and Culture Secretary Arunish Chawla, who will serve as the committee’s member-secretary.
The committee also includes BJP leader Manmohan Samal, senior leaders Amar Prasad Satpathy and Swapan Dasgupta, Council of Economic Advisor member Sanjib Sanyal, and Chairman of the National Monument Authority Prof. Kishore Basa. Literary figures and scholars such as Dr. Pratibha Ray, Dr. Gourahari Das, Dr. Rajendra Kishore Panda, Dr. Haraprasad Das, and former Chief Secretary Tarunkanti Mishra are also part of the panel.
The commemoration will honor Dr. Mahatab’s contributions as a freedom fighter, statesman, and literary figure. Known as the “Lion of Odisha,” he played a pivotal role in the state’s political and cultural history.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has planned a three-day celebration of Dr. Mahatab’s birth anniversary starting tomorrow at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar.
