Bhubaneswar: Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid homage to the Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanjadeo, the erstwhile king of Mayurbhanj State of British India, on his birth anniversary.
Tweeting in Odia, CM Naveen says, “My humble tributes to the flagbearer of Odia Bhasa Andolan and the formation of the state of Odisha- Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanjadeo. His magazines ‘Utkal Prabha’ and ‘Manorama’ not only helped in highlighting the Odia literature but also helped in the upliftment of the society.”
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— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) December 17, 2019
Maharaja Bhanjdeo was known as a philosopher-king. Apart from several philanthropical work, he was also a torchbearer who worked towards promotion of Odia language and formation of state of Odisha post-independence.
He attained at the throne of Mayurbhanj at the age of eleven and in his next 30 years he wholeheartedly dedicated for development of his state. The erstwhile Maharaja constituted the state council for administration in the state and brought about reforms in the sphere of language, health and administration.
During his reign, the scientific operation of iron mines was started for the first time and Gorumahsini mines were leased to the Tatas. In 1903, he commissioned a narrow-gauge railway line from Rupsa to Baripada known as Mayurbhanj State Railway.
Also during his reign 474 miles of road were built in State connecting all divisional towns with Baripada. And the Baripada Municipality was constituted. He also started an English High School with a boarding facility, a government Press, a fully equipped hospital and a leper asylum in Baripada.
The Shri Ramachandra Bhanj Medical College at Cuttack was named after him in year 1951, in recognition of the donation and efforts made by the ruler in his lifetime.