Odisha To Commemorate Swabhab Kabi Gangadhar Meher State Level Death Centenary In 2024

Bhubaneswar: Recognizing the contribution of renowned Odia poet Gangadhar Meher, also known as Swabhab Kabi, the Odisha Government will organize state level commemoration of his death centenary in 2024. Meeting the representatives of the Meher community today, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced that the State Government will provide land for setting up of the Gangadhar Bhaban in capital Bhubaneswar.

Swabhab Kabi Gangadhar Meher is the pride of Odisha. He has enriched the Odia language and literature through his writings. His enchanting works have left an indelible mark in the world of Indian literature too.

The members of Nikhil Odisha Meher (Bhulia) Society today met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Naveen Niwas and discussed about the celebration of the death centenary of this great poet in March 2024 and setting up of a memorial building in Bhubaneswar in memory of Gangadhar Meher. The Chief Minister assured the delegation that a magnificent building will be built in Bhubaneswar in his memory and a grand celebrations will be held to commemorate the poet’s death centenary. The Chief Minister also informed that a committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary in this regard.

It is worth mentioning here that in 1924, Swabhav Kabi had brought together the Meher Society (Bhulia) and organized a meeting at Barpali. This Bhulia Society was later became the Nikhil Odisha Meher (Bhulia) Society.

The State Government has taken various steps to preserve the memory of Gangadhar Meher, the most revered poet of Odisha. Life size statues of Gangadhar Meher have been put up in Bhubaneswar, Berhampur and Sambalpur. In addition, the Rs 2090 crore Ganagadhar Meher Lift Canal Sysytem project has been named after the poet is under progress and will be operational by September 2023. Similarly, the Gangadhar Meher College in Sambalpur has been recognized as a Unitary University since 2015. The Rs 430 crore Odisha Gangadhar Meher Sikhya Manak Brudhi Yojana is being implemented for the spread of education in the state. On this occasion, the delegation thanked the Chief Minister for the various initiatives taken by the state government in the last 20 years to honor poet Gangadhar Meher.