Cuttack, April 17: Harekrushna Mahtab, the Former Chief Minister of Odisha is alive for crafting the new Odisha of his dream, said Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways on Thursday.
Gracing the ‘Utkal Keshari’ Harekrushna Mahtab’s 125th birth anniversary at the Ravenshaw University in Odisha’s Cuttack today, Gadkari said Harekrushna Mahtab was one of the greatest visionaires of the nation. Everybody knows that he played a pivotal role in the formation of new & developed Odisha during his regime.
“It is rightly said, ‘You can donate your eyes, but not the vision. Mahtab had a vision for Odisha. Most importantly, his vision of constructing the Hirakud Dam in itself created history and will remain forever. Apart from a true nationalist, Mahtab was also a great writer, scholar, and poet who majorly focused on social equality.To end societal inequality, he focused on Odisha’s education system,” said Gadkari.
Gadkari further said, “Mahtab , as a freedom fighter, was lodged in a jail in Maharashtra during the great struggle of independence where he scripted a book titled ‘History of Odisha’. So, we should all come together to uplift Odisha and fulfill the dreams of Mahtab, yet to be addressed. It is not important how long we live, the glorious deeds someone achieves in life, become milestone for an individual. It was the philosophy of Mahtab.”
“We need to understand the spirit of Education. We all should strive to perform our best and create history. On the greatman’s 125th birth anniversary, I reaffirm to our youths that we have the strength to excell in all respects which can pave ways towards a better and prosperous Odisha”, Gadkari added.
