Familiarizing people with the glorious chapters of our history is an important part of nation-building: President Kovind
From: B.Maharana
Bhubaneswar, December 08 :
President Ram Nath Sunday said that familiarizing people with the glorious chapters of our history, especially to make aware of the younger generation about the sacrifices of our forefathers, is an important part of nation-building.
Laying the foundation stone for the Paika Rebellion Memorial at Barunei Hill in Khordha, the President appreciated the efforts of Central Government as well as State Government in constructing the Paika Vidroh Memorial.
He expressed confidence that this memorial will provide important information related to the Paika Vidroh to visitors, especially the youth. The memorial will be an inspiration for the people in the future, he said.
Paika Rebellion of 1817 was India’s first organised armed rebellion against the oppressive rule of the East India Company.
Stating that Odisha is blessed by nature with abundant natural resources,President on Sunday said huge investment has been made for infrastructure development in Odisha as the Centre is focusing on the development of eastern part of the country.
“The memorial, after getting established, will play a major role in making youths and tourists aware about the legends of paikas. I thank Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for their efforts towards establishment of the memorial,” he added.
The President also remembered the sacrifices of Jai Rajguru and Buxi Jagabandhu, who fought against the East India Company.
Paikas were essentially the peasant militias of the Gajapati rulers of Odisha who rendered military service to the king during times of war.
They had rebelled against the East Indian Company under the leadership of Buxi Jagabandhu as early as 1817.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also reiterated the demand to accord Paika rebellion as the first war of Independence of the country and run an express train from Odisha in the name of Buxi Jagabandhu.