Balasore: A 15-feet tall life-size statue of Odia writer Fakir Mohan Senapati was unveiled on Friday at Shanti Kanan, his birth place, on the occasion of his death anniversary.

The statue, built at a cost of Rs 12 lakh using the funds from the state culture department, was unveiled by higher education and industries minister Ananta Das.

"He is the pride of Balasore and the state. The Odia language and literature could survive and hold a special identity today because of his immense hard work and sacrifices. We are happy that a life size statue of the litterateur was is installed in his birth place by the state government," he said.

Seven artisans headed by sculptor Saroj Bhanja carved the statue in bronze. Ramkrishna Agasti, who is one of the artisans, was felicitated by the Das and district collector Ramesh Rout.

District culture officer Manaswani Rout said: "A proposal was sent to the state culture department for installing the statue in Shanti Kanan which was approved by the department. The making of statue began about one year ago."

This year will mark the 101th death anniversary of the writer.

Fakir Mohan Sahitya Parishad, a prominent literary organisation in association with the district administration observes the birth and death anniversaries of the writer every year.