Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday tapped into his signature message –that a resurgent New India must be rooted in its civilization and draw inspiration from its glorious people-driven past. He made this appeal while releasing the Hindi version of “Odisha Itihaas” by Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab at Ambedkar International Centre in the Capital. Mahtab is popularly known as Utkal Keshari.
Stressing on the need to study history from a new perspective, the PM said it “should not only be a lesson of the past but should also mirror the future. The country is keeping this in focus while celebrating Azadi ka Amrut Mahaotsava and enliven the history of our freedom struggle.” PM Modi was referring to the on-going celebrations to mark 75 years of India's independence.
In the past, he has stressed that the ideological essence of India's freedom movement is not foreign, but can be found in the Bhakti Movement. The Prime Minister has on several occasions demonstrated a hybrid interpretation of history, where an appreciation of India's subaltern culture and a unique ideological tradition in shaping contemporary history has been pronounced.
Also read: Time to reinterpret history of freedom struggle—PM Modi
Stating that Odisha’s history represents the historical strength of entire India, PM said, “This strength, reflected in the history is connected with the present and future possibilities and work as a guide for us.”
PM Modi lauded the subaltern people-driven tradition of interpreting history from below. “In the Indian tradition, history is not limited to kings and palaces. History evolved with people over thousands of years. This is foreign thought process that has turned the stories of dynasties and palaces into history.” He went on to cite the example of Ramayana and Mahabharata where most of the description is of the common people.
Touching upon the role of tribals, the PM said, “They always troubled the British with their patriotism and valour.” He remembered the great tribal leader of the Quit India Movement, Laxman Nayak.
The PM went on to emphasise the vital role played by grassroots struggles in the Odisha region, such as the Paika Rebellion, Ganjam Revol and the Sambalpur Struggle, in the Odisha region, invigorated the freedom struggle against the British rule. He went on to recall the immense contribution of Surendra Sai of Sambalpur Andolan, of leaders like Pandit Gopabandhu, Acharya Harihar and Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab. To highlight the role of women he also paid tribute to the contribution of Ramadevi, Malti Devi, Kokila Devi and Rani Bhagyawati.
PM Modi spotlighted that eastern India had always been the beacon of progressive thought in India's ongoing evolution. Whether it was Odisha, Kolkata or the Northeast region, they always led the movement of change and struggle. “Whenever we talk about the golden age of India, the East as a major factor, made the greatest contribution. This is what is required. To make the region vibrant and make it possible to make it lead the nation to a new golden age,” he remarked.
The PM remembered Mahtab’s contribution in the freedom struggle and lauded him for his struggle for the reformation in society. He noted that during the Emergency, Mahtab went to jail opposing the party under which he became Chief Minister. “He went to prison for both independence and for saving the country’s democracy.”
Mahtab, served as the Chief Minister of Odisha from 1946 to 1950 and from 1956 to 1961. He wrote the book Odisha Itihaas in Ahmednagar Fort Jail, where he was imprisoned for more than two years during 1942 to 1945.
Others present during the occasion were the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Cuttack, Bhartruhari Mahtab.
