Odisha Assembly Pays Tribute to Visionary Parala Maharaja
Bhubaneswar, May 25: The Odisha Legislative Assembly today paid solemn tribute to Parala Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deb on his death anniversary.
Widely revered as the architect of modern Odisha, Maharaja Gajapati was instrumental in uniting Odia‑speaking regions and securing the state’s identity as a separate province in 1936.
Born in Parlakhemundi, he championed education, literature, and public welfare, leaving behind a legacy of visionary leadership.
His landmark address at the Utkal Sammilani in 1914 laid the foundation for Odisha’s unification movement.
The ceremony saw Speaker Surama Padhy, Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, former Minister Dr Aravind Dhali, former MLA Priyadarshi Mishra, members of Utkal Sammilani, and officials of Gajapati Vikash Parishad offering floral tributes.
Patriotic songs were presented by the Sashwati Cultural Organisation, coordinated by PRO Rosalin Sahu.
Maharaja Gajapati passed away on May 25, 1974, at the age of 82, but his vision continues to inspire generations in Odisha.
