Kotpad, 1st Sept 2025: The Mathili and Papadahandi Martyrs Day was observed today at the Gopabandhu Library premises. This day marks the August 21 and 24 of 1942, when Odisha witnessed significant sacrifices during the Indian freedom struggle.
On August 21, 1942, freedom fighters including Lakshman Nayak were shot dead by British police in Mathili (formerly part of the undivided Koraput district), making it a day to remember for the people of Odisha. Similarly, on August 24, 1942, near the Turhi River at Papadahandi, several martyrs sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence.
On this occasion, the Martyrs Day was observed in Kotpad, where tributes were paid to these brave hearts. The ceremony was attended by prominent personalities including Kotpad’s N.S.C. (National Students’ Council) President Shankar Rao, Pankaj Kumar Patra (President, Press Club), Ranjan Mohuria (Editor, Deshiya Patrika), and Komalesh Mahant (N.S.C. Executive Officer), among others.
During the ceremony, several local freedom fighters and prominent figures including Jitendra Nath Mahapatra, Pradip Baksi, Hemanta Patra, and Gaur Mahanti paid their respects to the martyrs. The event also included poetic readings by Sanjoy Mishra, Pushpalata Muduli, Sanjukta Mahapatra, and Sabita Hota, who recited emotional poems to honor the sacrifices made by these heroes.
A large gathering of intellectuals and citizens attended the program, which was concluded by Devi Panda, the editor, who expressed gratitude to the participants and made a formal vote of thanks.
This annual commemoration is a reminder of the struggles faced by the freedom fighters from the region and serves as a tribute to those who fought for the country’s independence.