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"Martyrs' dreams remain unrealised"

Staff Reporter

Orissa's pivotal role in the freedom struggle recalled

BERHAMPUR: The country has failed to realise the dreams of martyrs like Sahid Laxman Nayak about real freedom of tribals and the downtrodden, said P. Sainath, Rural Affairs Editor of The Hindu .

Delivering the Sahid Laxman Nayak memorial lecture at a function organised by The People's Trust to commemorate the 65th martyrdom day of the martyr, Mr. Sainath urged the audience to remember what the martyr had dreamed of and what he stood for.

According to him, Orissa had played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle. Tribals living in extreme remote areas opposed the British imperialism since 19th century. Panimora village near Sambalpur still has highest number of freedom fighters at any village in the country.

"Tribals sacrificed to the ultimate level for the freedom struggle. What have they got in return?" he asked. During the Bengal famines, 20,000 quintals of rice was sent from Kalahandi district to save the affected but the same area now reels in dire poverty.

Mr. Sainath said martyrs like Laxaman Nayak had fought against terror, exploitation and hunger and the people he had led still faced the same.

Noted musician Prafulla Kar, member of State CPI(M) Secretariat Ali Kishor Patnaik, District CPI(M) secretary Kalu Panda were also present.

Portrait garlanded

The 65th martyrdom day of Laxman Nayak was also observed at Berhampur circle jail. It was the same jail where he was hanged by the British for motivating tribals of undivided Koraput district against the foreign rule.

His portrait kept at the cell where he was kept before hanging and his statue at the jail were garlanded.

A function was also held at Sahid Laxman Nayak Memorial High School to mark the occasion.

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