Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday demanded that the Centre accord the Paika Rebellion of 1817 as the first war of Independence against British rule and said his government will provide free land for the memorial proposed to be set up by the Centre.
Hailing Baxi Jagabandhu as a legendary revolutionary and the brave son of the soil who fought valiantly against the Britishers to free the country from their rule, Patnaik said the Paika Rebellion launched under his leadership was the first war of Independence in India against British rule.
Paikas were traditional landed militia under the state's Gajapati rulers, Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, the military chief of the King of Khurda, had led his army of Paikas in 1817 against the British East India Company for tinkering with the revenue system and forced its forces to retreat.
The rebellion came to be known as Paika Bidroh or Paika rebellion.
"If the Centre accords this status to the Paika Rebellion, it will be a best tribute to Bakshi Jagabandhu," Patnaik said adding the Paika Rebellion had posed a major challenge before the British rule across the country.
The chief minister said the state government will provide free land and all cooperation for a memorial for Paika Rebellion of 1817 proposed to be set up by the Centre.
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"It is a matter of happiness that the Central government has decided to establish a Paika Rebellion memorial at Barunei. I welcome this proposal. The state government will provide free land and all cooperation for this," Patnaik said.
The chief minister was speaking at a function where Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of IIT-Bhubaneswar at Arugal and unveiled a slew of projects worth Rs 14,500 crore for Odisha through video conferencing from there.
The Chief Minister also reiterated the demand before the prime minister that a new train from Odisha in the name of Bakshi Jagabandhu be started.
Patnaik thanked the Prime Minister for releasing a commemorative postage stamp and a coin on the occasion of bicentenary celebrations of the Paika Rebellion and for inaugurating a Chair on the Paika Rebellion in the Utkal University.
Regarding the projects for which Modi laid the foundation stone, Patnaik promised his government's support for their timely completion.
Congratulating the IITians, Patnaik said IIT-Bhubaneswar has already witnessed three convocations and has become one of the leading institutes of the country in science and technology.
"You have all come from different parts of the country to learn and grow. You all are young and the best brains of the land. I believe throughout your life, a piece of Bhubaneswar will always be with you. I wish you all of you to fulfil all your dreams and play a significant role in realising the dreams of our nation through your pursuit of knowledge and brilliance," Patnaik said.