NAYAGARH: (Report- Ramakrushna Rath): The 136th district-level birth anniversary of the legendary freedom fighter and Gandhian leader, Govinda Chandra Misra, was celebrated with great respect in Nayagarh. The event took place at the Shriramkrishna Adarsha Shikshyakendra premises near the Housing Board colony. Organised by the Biplabi Govinda Chandra Misra Smruti Parishad, the gathering aimed to honor the man who first introduced the grievances of Odisha to Mahatma Gandhi. 
Nayagarh Honors Govinda Chandra Misra: Odisha’s First Voice to Gandhi


Tributes to the "Flame of Freedom"

The ceremony began with a floral tribute. The Chief Guest, Nayagarh Zilla Parishad Chairman Eng. Debasish Patnaik, offered incense and garlands at the statue of Sri Misra. While addressing the gathering, Patnaik described the late revolutionary as an "eternal flame" of the Indian independence movement.
He highlighted Sri Misra’s unique historical significance:
  • He was the first person from Odisha to meet Mahatma Gandhi personally to discuss the suffering of the Odia people.
  • He served as the first Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and the first MLA from the Nayagarh region.
  • He remained a devoted follower of Gandhian principles throughout his life.
Patnaik urged the younger generation and students to study the life of Govinda Chandra Misra to understand the value of sacrifice and patriotism.

Calls for State Recognition

During the memorial meeting, presided over by Prasanna Kumar Panda, guests discussed the need for wider recognition of Sri Misra’s contributions. The Chairperson of Nayagarh Municipality, Nirupama Khatei, and social activist Pramod Patnaik attended as guests of honor.
They jointly appealed to the State Government to install a full-size bronze statue of the revolutionary leader in the capital city, Bhubaneswar. They noted that preserving his memory is a national duty for every citizen.

Community Participation

The event saw a large turnout from various sectors of society. Representatives from organisations such as the Bharat Bikas Parishad, Civil Society, and Soham participated in the tributes. Local intellectuals, social workers, and the staff of the Shriramkrishna Adarsha Shikshyakendra supported the smooth execution of the program.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Pradeep Kumar Sahu, the Secretary of the Smruti Parishad, who thanked the community for keeping the legacy of Nayagarh’s greatest hero alive.