A member of Utkal Sammilani pays tribute to Madhusudan Das at his grave at Gorakabar in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, Feb. 4: Glowing tributes were paid to Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das, the architect of modern Odisha, across the state on his 79th death anniversary today.

Several cultural programmes were held in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar to commemorate the contribution of Madhu babu towards the state.

Governor M.C. Bhandare garlanded his statue at Shailabala Women’s College in Cuttack this morning, while chief minister Naveen Patnaik paid floral tributes to him at the Assembly in Bhubaneswar.

The members of Utkal Sammilani, the organisation which had played a vital role in the movement for a separate Odisha province, paid floral tributes to him at his grave at Gorakabar. They also garlanded his statues in several areas of Cuttack.

The Cuttack district administration has just launched a drive to clean Gorakabar, where the great leader’s grave is located.

“Madhu babu’s contribution to Odisha is immense. It is our duty to pay tribute to such a great visionary of Odisha,” said Sasmita Sahu, a student who lives in Cuttack.

Sources in the Cuttack district administration said that a detailed project report was being prepared for the makeover of Gorakabar and Madhusmruti.

“The district administration has planned to initiate various development works so that Madhusmruti attracts visitors to the city,” said Cuttack district collector Girish S.N.

However, the members of Utkal Sammilani demanded a special attention to the Madhusudan Museum in Cuttack.

“We welcome the decision of district administration which has planned various development activities to commemorate Madhusudan Das. But the Madhusudan Museum is reeling from neglect. It also needs to be expanded,” said Utkal Sammilani president (Cuttack city) Rabi Sahu.

A state-level event was held at Jayadev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar this evening in which speakers recalled the contribution of Madhu babu in the formation of the province of Odisha.

“Madhu babu has contributed immensely towards the creation of the modern Odisha. His efforts for prosperity and development of our state will be remembered forvever,” said deputy chairman of Odisha planning board and veteran leader Surendranath Nayak.