Papadahandi, Jan, 23: Following the approval of funds for the development of the Shaheed Minar, the foundation stone for the construction of the Shaheed Smruti Park (Martyrs’ Memorial Park) was laid on Wednesday. The foundation stone was laid by School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, who attended the event as the chief guest.
A five-acre plot of land near the Tribal Museum on the Nabarangpur Road has been identified for the project, where the foundation stone has been installed. It may be noted that the Shaheed Minar had remained neglected for a long time. Despite several efforts for its development, it did not receive attention from the previous government. However, after the change of government, several leaders and ministers of the new government visited the Shaheed Minar and sanctioned funds for its development.
The Papadahandi Shaheed Minar will be developed into an ideal tourist destination. For this purpose, the State Tourism Department has sanctioned funds amounting to crores of rupees. Proposals include the construction of an auditorium, a park, and the installation of statues of martyrs and freedom fighters at prominent locations, along with various other developmental works.
According to information, the Shaheed Minar is located on the bank of the Turi River at Papadahandi. On August 24, 1942, 19 people lost their lives in British firing during the historic Papadahandi firing incident, which is recorded in the history of India’s freedom struggle and continues to echo through generations. Recognizing this sacred site of sacrifice and martyrdom, the government has sanctioned funds for its development.
As a result, families of the martyrs and freedom fighters, along with intellectuals, have expressed their gratitude to the new government and the district administration.
Those present at the programme included Nabarangpur MLA Gauri Shankar Majhi, Dabugaon MLA Manohar Randhari, Block Chairperson Hemalata Majhi, Dabugaon Block Chairperson Veena Majhi, Vice-Chairperson Sushant Kumar Behera, former MP Parshuram Majhi, District Collector Maheshwar Swain, BDO Kapil Dev Sahu, District BJP President Kunja Bihari Das, MP’s representative Somanath Pujari, BJP leaders Ramesh Sahu, Arjun Tripathy, Harishchandra Panigrahi, and others.
Adequate security arrangements were made by the police administration.