Thread by @VAdkri

GANDHIJI IN PARALAKHEMUNDI~
#GandhiJisOdishaVisit
#CenternaryCelebration
Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation visited Paralakhemundi two times on March 31, 1921 and again on December 4, 1927. During his first visit Gandhiji came to Paralakhemundi
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Naupada by car while returning from Berhampur on the way to Vijayawada. Gandhiji came along with Dr Rajendra Prasad, Gopabandhu Das, Niranjan Patnaik (father-in-law of Janaki Ballav Patnaik) and Andhra leader Konda Venkatpapaya when the activity of Utkal Samillani was
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on full swing in Paralakhemundi. Gandhiji addressed a meeting at the Old Market Ground (Municipal Reading Room) despite strict measures by the British rulers. Gandhiji had supported the demand for formation of Odisha state consisting of all the Odia dialect areas.
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Padmashree Dr Satya Narayan Rajguru, an unsung hero of modern Odisha also described Gandhiji's Paralakhemundi visit on March 31, 1921 in his autobiography when he was a student of Fourth Form. However some scholars who has penned research
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oriented books on Paralakhemundi denied Paralakhemundi visit during 1921 March. But thanks to Mr prateek patnaik,
I have collected an valuable audio bite of Dr Rajguru in air cuttack where he was clearly telling March 21st story of Mahatma
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Again on December 4, 1927 Gandhiji came to Paralakhemundi from Srikakulam. Assistant Engineer of Srikakulam Harish Chandra Padhi (paternal uncle of renowned advocate Gopinath Padhi) brought Gandhiji in his Chevrolet car from Srikakulam to Paralakhemundi despite threat
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from the British rulers. Bishnu Charan Mahanty has also described the visit of Gandhiji to Paralakhemundi in his book 'Parala Pratibha'. Apanna Parichha of Rasikaraj or Parichha Math also note down the details of Mahatma's visit to
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Paralakhemundi in a diary. Gandhiji came at 1 pm and left the meeting place at 3 pm. The meeting place was an open space (presently situated on the place where Gopal Krushna Library and Park was built) where about 10 thousand people gathered there to listen Gandhiji. The
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Hindi version of address by Mahatma was translated to Telugu by Yogaya Pantallu (father of former President of India) VV Giri and to Odia by former Minister Raj Krishna Bose. The submission of examination fees was also differed by local college Principal listen Gandhiji.
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Sachidananda Roy to enable students to Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati met Gandhiji at Gandhi Sevashram Berboi near Delang in Puri on March 25,1938. Maharaja donated Rs 1116 to the National Fund when Gandhiji was observing week long 'Maunabrata' and send one hour with him
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. At that time Delanga was under Paralakhemundi zamindari. Though Gandhiji had a hatred attitude towards the Rajas and Zamindars for their oppressive methods, he allowed Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati to come closer as he knew the peoples oriented developmental works of
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the Maharaja. Maharaja asked Gandhiji-"You saw my estate with your own eyes. What I should do more for the development of the people". Gandhiji who was on 'Maunabrata' simply handed over a paper slip to the Maharaja. "Your's is Ramarajya", Gandhiji commented on it.

Courtesy : Sunil patnaik , B M Adhikari , Dr Anantaram Kar , sri SK Rajguru