**New Delhi:** President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 200th anniversary celebrations of the ‘Paika Bidroha’ (Paika Rebellion) at Vigyan Bhavan here on Thursday.
Gracing the grand occasion as the Chief Guest, the President paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the mutiny and praised their courage in sacrificing their lives for the freedom of the country.
“It was indeed a privilege for me to be present on the occasion of inauguration of year-long celebration of Bi-Centenary of the Paika Bidroha of Odisha,” said Mukherjee.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram and Mahesh Sharma were present during the inaugural ceremony of the bicentenary commemoration day of the historic rebellion.
Besides, many BJD, BJP leaders, intellectuals and dignitaries were also present at the occasion.
The President also felicitated 150 Paika descendants at the national-level function today.