Bhubaneswar, Odisha : Odisha commemorated the Statewide Sacrifice Day today, honoring the historic Papadahandi incident, a pivotal chapter in the state’s struggle for India’s independence. The ceremony highlighted the valiant sacrifices of freedom fighters whose blood and courage shaped Odisha’s patriotic legacy.
On 24 August 1942, during the Quit India Movement, Odisha witnessed a brutal crackdown at Papadahandi near the Turi River in Nabarangpur district. British forces, attempting to suppress the nationwide rebellion, carried out a massacre reminiscent of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. While 19 people survived, over 83 freedom fighters lost their lives, with many others severely injured or subjected to imprisonment. This tragic episode, now revered as “Blood-soaked Papadahandi”, is recognized as a significant testimony of Odisha’s role in India’s independence struggle.
The commemorative event was organized in the evening at the Jayadev Bhavan, jointly facilitated by the Department of Information and Public Relations and the Shabari Cultural Council. Minister for School and Mass Education, Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Development, Minority Welfare, Social Security, and Differently-abled Empowerment, Shri Nityananda Gand, highlighted the historical significance of Papadahandi. He emphasized that the sacrifices of the tribal populace of Nabarangpur inspired successive generations to remain steadfast in safeguarding India’s hard-earned freedom.
Distinguished guests included Nabarangpur MP Shri Balabhadra Majhi, Koraput MLA Shri Raghuram Machh, and eminent Gandhian thinker Shri Prahallad Singh, who paid homage to the martyrs and underscored the local tribal communities’ active contribution to the independence movement. They stressed that the freedom struggle in Odisha, especially in tribal-dominated regions, was marked by unparalleled courage, patriotism, and self-sacrifice.
The program also featured cultural presentations reflecting the spirit of the Quit India Movement, with introductory patriotic music by Asha Mukul Barik and associates, coordinated by Dipti Ranjan Sahu. Senior members of the Shabari Cultural Council, including Prof. Hriday Ranjan Satpathi, editor Neelamadhav Dash, and treasurer Yashobanta Jain, actively participated. Senior officials, intellectuals, dignitaries, and media representatives attended the event to honor the legacy of Papadahandi martyrs.
The observance of Statewide Sacrifice Day in Odisha serves as a solemn reminder that the quest for India’s independence was not merely political but a testament to the resilience, unity, and selfless commitment of ordinary citizens. Today’s tribute reaffirms the state’s resolve to cherish and uphold the hard-won freedom for generations to come.
Also Read : Odisha Rural Development: Roads & Bridges Expansion 2025
