Balangir: Eminent people from various walks of life paid rich tribute to historian Sadananda Agrawal on his first death anniversary at his native village in Menda of Sonepur district on Wednesday.

Litterateurs Madhusudan Pati and Srinibas Udgata, tie-and-dye exponent Chaturbhuj Meher, leader of Opposition in the Assembly Narasingha Mishra and state water resource minister Niranjan Pujari remembered Agrwal at a memorial meeting organised by the Sadananda Agrawal Smruti Committee.

Agrawal was a historian, epigraphist, researcher, musicologist and writer.

Balangir legislator and leader of Opposition Mishra described Agrawal as an " ajatashatru" who never had any enemies. Mishra remembered the books Agrawal had written on the history of Odisha, music and tribal culture.

"His books were the result of his intense research. His books are rare gems which should get their pride of place in all the libraries of the state. I will request the authority of the Raja Ram Mohan Library in Bhubaneswar to have his books. I will also speak to the Assembly speaker to ensure that his books find place in the Assembly library," he said.

Mishra also alleged that the state has not given Agrawal the honour he deserved. "He was not given the honour he deserved. One of his dreams was that the new government medical college and hospital in Balangir would be named after saint poet Bhima Bhoi of whom Agrawal was an ardent follower. I also support this and public opinion should be generated for this. I have written about it to chief minister Naveen Patnaik and he is looking into it," he said.

Water resource and urban development minister Pujari said that Agrawal had taken a keen interest in the development of his area.

"He was very much interested to see his area developed. He was a keen follower of saint poet Bhima Bhoi and his contribution for development of the Samadhi Pitha at Khaliapali in Sonepur district is noteworthy. I will be happy to help the proposed trust in his name in whatever way I am asked," Pujari said.

During the memorial meeting, the guests released a compilation of fourteen articles of Agrawal on saint poet Bhima Bhoi titled Manababadi Santha Bhima Bhoi.