Cuttack, Jan. 23: Several rallies, blood donation camps and cultural programmes were organised at Netaji's Birthplace Museum to observe the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Cuttack today.

Visiting the museum today turned out to be the most memorable day for 39-year-old Swami Krishnansh, a native of Ghaziabad and a yoga teacher, who has embarked on a nationwide padayatra and reached the museum to pay his tributes to the freedom fighter.

'I have covered more than six states with an aim to spread the message of love and unity. Visiting the birthplace of Netaji on his birth anniversary was indeed a special moment,' said Krishnansh.

He said efforts had been made to preserve the Janakinath Bhavan, Netaji's home, which has been converted into the Netaji's birthplace museum.

A sand art by Pramod Patnaik and a painting exhibition by the Lalit Kala Akademi artists were also held today. Eminent personalities, schoolchildren, freedom fighters and others offered flowers and paid tributes to Bose.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik garlanded the Netaji's statue and inaugurated the much-awaited closed-circuit television camera project for extra surveillance at the museum.

Official sources said 32 high-resolution cameras had been installed at all the 12 galleries, and entry and exit points of the museum. The cost of the project is worth Rs 4 lakh. 'A lot of good work has been done by the museum authorities,' said Naveen.

A museum official said four renovated galleries based on Bose's early, student, political and imprisoned life had also been opened for the visitors from today. 'We are planning to come up with a special booklet containing Bose's letters written to his father and relatives. The booklet will certainly improve the literary aspect among students who can have a glimpse of the rare letters written by Netaji,' said museum director B.P. Ray.

Ray said the Netaji Museum Trust was planning to declare it as a no-polythene zone and start the renovation of other galleries, installation of new photographs and other artefacts. Besides, efforts will be taken to widen the museum entrance and other infrastructure development, he said.

A souvenir shop with various products starting from Netaji's cap, pen, badges with Jai Hind printed on them was also set up for the visitors.

Unitary status

At another event in Sambalpur on the birth anniversary of Veer Surendra Sai, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said the state government had decided to confer the unitary varsity status on Gandadhar Meher (Autonomous) College.

Many people gathered at Khinda, the birthplace of Sai, to pay homage to the leader.Naveen garlanded Sai's statue and said the leader's bravery wasunparalleled.People from various walks of life garlanded Sai's statue at Jail Chhak in Sambalpur town.<-3.000>

Veer SurendraSai, a royal descendant, revolted against the British Raj in 1827 when he was only 18. He was put behind bars at theHazaribag prison.During Sepoy Mutiny, the rebel escaped from the prison and launched a coup d'etat against the Raj. Sai was caught and jailed again. The 57-year-old leader had spent 37 years in jail. He died at theAsirgarhjail in Madhya Pradesh.

Additional reporting by Subrat Mohanty