Odisha to develop legendary freedom fighter Surendra Sai’s birthplace

Priya Ranjan Swain Published On : Jul 15, 2023 at 6:41 PM

Bhubaneswar: The state government will develop the birthplace of legendary freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai at Khinda in Sambalpur district of Odisha as a tourist destination.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today sanctioned Rs 6.41 crore for this purpose.

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As per the direction of the Chief Minister, 5T Secretary VK Pandian visited the birthplace of Sai earlier in the day and paid tributes to the freedom fighter. The 5T Secretary also held discussions with the locals regarding the development of Sai’s birthplace, sources said.

The Chief Minister sanctioned the funds for the development of Sai’s birthplace soon after the 5T Secretary conveyed the wishes of the locals to the former, sources added.

The project will be executed on 1.945 acre land at Khinda. The state government will install a statue of Sai and build a hall in his memory as part of the project, said an official.

The state government will renovate the existing museum and library at Sai’s birthplace. “There will be landscaping and proper lighting at the place. A meeting hall will also be developed under the project,” he added.

Born in 1809, Sai had fought against the British rule in India. He was captured and imprisoned at Asirgarh hill fort, now located in Madhya Pradesh, for several years. Sai died inside the jail in 1884.