Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged freedom fighters to inspire the younger generations with their sacrifices for the nation.

"Freedom fighters are the living legends. They are respectable figures of our society. I once again salute your sacrifice and struggle," said Naveen at the All-India Freedom Fighters' Mahotsav here on Tuesday.

"The Indian freedom movement virtually changed the fundamental principles of struggle against oppression and tyranny. It empowered people all over the globe and inspired the use of non-violence as a political weapon to fight against oppressive regimes," said Naveen.

Stating that his government was paying special attention to the social security of freedom fighters, the chief minister said the government had enhanced the freedom fighter pension from April this year.

The pension of jailed freedom fighters, who also received central pension, has been revised to Rs 10,000 per month from the earlier Rs 6,000.

The State Token Pension amount was hiked from Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000. The state government had increased the pension for freedom fighters in 2013.

The Odisha government's action in this regard comes a few weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated family members of 16 freedom fighters in Bhubaneshwar.

Like every year, the freedom fighter festival is held on January 2 on the death anniversary of veteran freedom fighter and former chief minister Harekrushna Mahtab.

Paying his tribute to Mahtab, Naveen said: "Besides leading the freedom movement, he had brought several changes in social, economic and literary spheres during the post-Independence era."

He also inaugurated a photo exhibition on the life of the great leader.

Earlier in the morning, floral tributes were paid to the statue of the former chief minister on the Assembly premises.