Utkalamani’s birthplace gets a makeover; Odisha CM to inaugurate redeveloped house at Suando

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will inaugurate the renovated and restored house and other properties of Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das at Suando in Puri district of Odisha on February 23, said a senior official today.

Acting upon the direction of the Chief Minister, 5T Secretary VK Pandian today visited the birthplace of Utkalamani today and reviewed the renovation work.

“The state government has renovated Lord Lokeshwar temple at Suando. The renovated temple was reopened for the people today with the performance of certain special rituals. The 5T Secretary was participated in the ceremony,” said the official.

The 5T Secretary also visited Utkalamani’s house to inspect the renovation work. He also reviewed the progress of work for a museum at Suando and took stock of the renovation of a village pond, added the official.

The state government in association with the family members of Utkalamani and the villagers of Suando had launched a project to renovate and restore the house and other properties of the renowned freedom fighter and social reformer, said the official.

Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das, a lawyer by profession, had joined the Non-Cooperation movement of 1920 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. He was instrumental in setting up of Satyabadi Bana Bidyalaya at Sakhigopal in Puri district.

He had penned several articles and books in Odia. Utkalamani had dedicated his entire life to the service of people of Odisha.