📅 National Leaders Pay Tribute to Mahtab Ji at Ravenshaw University
On the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Utkal Keshari Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab, a grand event was held at Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, where eminent personalities gathered to honour one of Odisha’s most revered statesmen and architects of modern Odisha.
The celebration, termed Mahtab Jayanti, was graced by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Cuttack MLA Bhartruhari Mahtab, and several other dignitaries.
🕊️ Remembering Utkal Keshari Harekrushna Mahtab: The Visionary of Odisha
Addressing the gathering, Nitin Gadkari began with the invocation “Jai Jagannath” and paid heartfelt tribute to Mahtab ji, acknowledging his visionary contributions to the making of Odisha.
“You can donate eyes, but not vision. Mahtab ji had a vision for Odisha,” said Gadkari.
He highlighted how Harekrushna Mahtab’s vision led to the construction of the iconic Hirakud Dam, one of the world’s longest earthen dams, symbolising self-reliant development and irrigation-based prosperity for the state.
📚 Mahtab as a Scholar, Historian, and Social Reformer
Gadkari noted that Mahtab ji was not only a political leader but also a literary giant—a poet, historian, and author, who wrote extensively on Odisha’s past and future. During his imprisonment in Maharashtra under British rule, Mahtab authored the seminal book ‘History of Odisha’, which remains a cornerstone of Odia historical literature.
His commitment to educational reform and social equality was also acknowledged. Gadkari stressed that Mahtab believed education was key to dismantling social hierarchies and caste inequalities, and he worked tirelessly to strengthen Odisha’s educational infrastructure.
💬 A Message to the Youth of Odisha
In a passionate appeal to the youth, Nitin Gadkari said:
“We should all strive to be like Mahtab ji—visionary, scholarly, and socially conscious. Let us understand the true spirit of education and work to make India a Vishwaguru.”
He emphasized that the youth must think not only of the present but also of what Odisha should look like in the future. He called for a collective effort to realize the dreams of Harekrushna Mahtab and to make Odisha a model of sustainable growth and cultural resurgence.
🌾 Mahtab’s Legacy: Key Contributions
| Contribution | Impact |
|---|---|
| Role in Odisha’s Formation | Instrumental in the creation of Odisha as a separate state in 1936 based on linguistic identity |
| Hirakud Dam Vision | Enabled agricultural transformation and water security in Western Odisha |
| Freedom Fighter | Imprisoned multiple times; active participant in India’s independence movement |
| Author & Historian | Authored ‘History of Odisha’ and numerous essays on Indian society and culture |
| Social Reformer | Advocated for education and social equality among all classes and communities |
📌 Relevance for OPSC Aspirants
This event and Mahtab’s life are significant for the Odisha Civil Services Examination:
- General Studies Paper I (Modern History of India & Odisha)
→ Role of regional leaders in the freedom movement
→ State formation and regional identity - General Studies Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Social Justice)
→ Visionary leadership and its role in state development
→ Educational and social reform movements in Odisha - Essay Paper
→ Themes such as “Visionaries Who Shaped Modern Odisha” or “Education as a Catalyst for Social Change”
✅ Conclusion
The celebration of Harekrushna Mahtab’s 125th birth anniversary served as more than a tribute—it was a renewed call to action for Odisha’s youth and policymakers to carry forward the ideals he stood for. As Nitin Gadkari aptly stated, “It is not how long we live, but what we do during our lives that defines us.”
Odisha today stands at the crossroads of development, and remembering leaders like Mahtab is essential in crafting a future rooted in vision, equity, and purpose.