Puri: Social activists and intellectuals have urged the Central and state governments to provide a heritage village status to Biraharekrushnapur, the birthplace of noted freedom fighter Jayee Rajguru.
Many social activists have opined that a heritage status to the village would be a fitting tribute to the great freedom fighter.
It is worth mentioning here that the state government has recently unveiled a bronze statue of Rajguru at Biraharekrushnapur Square on a bypass in the locality.
“Biraharekrushnapur is the birthplace of Rajguru. The Centre and state governments should take immediate steps to provide heritage village status to the native village of Rajguru,” said heritage expert Surendra Mishra.
Many locals have expressed resentment over Centre and state governments’ failure to provide heritage village tag to Biraharekrushnapur. “Jayee Rajguru has occupied a special position in the freed struggle. The authorities should take immediate steps in this regard,” said Sarvodaya Mela Committee president Umaballav Mahapatra and secretary Shiba Prasad Mishra.
The villagers claimed that Biraharekrushnapur has produced many educationists, researchers and other eminent people. Moreover, the village has occupied a special place in the cultural history of Odisha.
“People across the country would know about the legendary freedom fighter if his native place is declared as heritage village,” said social activist Prafulla Tripathy.
Puri MLA and state Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty said he would raise the heritage village issue with the Culture department.