Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: Sentiments of shock, hurt and rage are running high in the country after the dastardly attack on the CRPF, killing 44 jawans in Pulwama. The weekly street festival, Patha Utsav, reflected these emotions and the spirit of Nationalism as people paid their homage to the martyrs.
The state lost two bravehearts — Manoj Behera and Prasanna Kumar Sahu– in the terror attack February 14.
Songs on Patriotism, story-telling sessions, quiz, art and all other activities on this day at the Patha Utsav had a tinge of Patriotism and a sense of loss for the brave sons of the soil. Floral tributes were paid to the martyrs who fought for the country’s Independence and those who still put their lives in the line of fire to protect the citizens of the country from outside forces.
Secretary Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Nodal Officer of Patha Utsav Bhabani Shankar Chayani said, “We were preparing for a usual theme for today’s Patha Utsav, but after the terror attack, paying homage to the martyrs seemed befitting. It’s wonderful that things turned out nicely as more people came forward to pay their last respects to the slain soldiers,” he added.
In keeping with the theme of the day, storyteller Prachitara regaled the audience with stories of the youngest martyr of pre-Independence era, Shahid Baji Rout. Rout, a boy of 12, died protesting against British officials who ordered him to ferry river Brahmani. Rout used to help his father who was a boatman.
The story of Sahid Baji Rout is highly respected across the country especially for the bravery of the youn boy from Odisha in the face of the mighty British.
Children paid tributes to Pulwama martyrs by lighting candles at the People’s Cultural Centre (PECUC) space at Patha Utsav on Sunday.
The students and staff expressed their grief on the gruesome death of the jawans in terror attack and observed a two-minute silence after lighting candles.
College principal Smrutirekha Mishra presided over the meeting which was attended by management committee president Sayeed Ekram Hussain and members— Tarun Kumar Sahu and Surekha Majhi, the students, staff and teachers.