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Bhubaneswar, June 7: The birth centenary celebration of freedom fighter and genius encyclopaedist Binode Kanungo started in the capital on Monday evening. To mark the occasion, a function was organised by the Jnanmandala Foundation and the department of information and public relations, Orissa.
The highlight of the function was a photo exhibition on the life of Kanungo. Remembered for his massive work of 40 volumes of popular Oriya encyclopaedia Jnanmandala and more than 30 books for children, Kanungo’s life inspires many even today.
A Gandhian by ideology, Kanungo had dropped out of school to join the freedom struggle in 1930, as a Class X student.
Despite of being imprisoned, at the behest of Mahatma Gandhi, Kanungo took to self-education even within the prison, where he also began collecting facts for the encyclopaedia. The prized encyclopaedia began to take full shape by 1954 and was released in 1960.
Kanungo was a journalist, educationist and social reformer in his own right. The multi-faceted personality was also a recipient of the Padmashri and Orissa Sahitya Akademi awards.
“His books on science, written in simple Oriya, have been a favourite of children for decades as he would use humour and interesting observations to enlighten the young readers,” said Pabak Kanungo, son of Binode Kanungo, who now manages the Jnanmandala Foundation.
“We are planning to bring out updated versions of his encyclopaedia which he had already made attractive for children with pictorial information,” he added.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik was the chief guest at the event held at Jayadev Bhavan on Monday. He paid respect to the legend and said that his contribution towards science and his efforts to help science reach children in the state was enormous.
The state government will be publishing a book on the life of Kanungo within a couple of months and a statue of his will be erected in the city, as a part of the centenary celebrations, said information and public relations minister, Surya Narayan Patro.
Eminent freedom fighters, scientists and educationists attended the event.
Various events will also be held by the Orissa Bigyan Academy and Orissa Sahitya Academy, to pay tribute to Kanungo and let the younger generations be inspired by his life, said Patro. Other celebrations will be on till June 6, 2012, said the organisers.
