Ravenshaw Name Change is Anathema to Oriya Mana

 

କୃତଜ୍ଞତା ହିଁ ଅସ୍ମିତାର ପରିଚାୟକ, କୃତଘ୍ନତା ନୁହେଁ, ପ୍ରିୟ ଧର୍ମେନ୍ଦ୍ରବାବୁ ! ରେଭେନ୍ସା ନାମ ରାଜନୀତିର ଖେଳ ପଡ଼ିଆ ନହେଉ (ଭାଗ ୧ )

ସୁଭାଷ ଚନ୍ଦ୍ର ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ

କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଶିକ୍ଷାମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ବାବୁ ଧର୍ମେନ୍ଦ୍ର ପ୍ରଧାନ ରେଭେନ୍ସା ବିଶ୍ବବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟର ନାମ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ କରିବାକୁ ଏକ ମୌଖିକ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ଦେଇ ତାହାକୁ ତାଙ୍କ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ମତ ବୋଲି କହିଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ତହିଁରେ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅସ୍ମିତାର ପୁଟ ବୋଳି ଏପରି ଏକ ବାତାବରଣ ତିଆରି କରିଛନ୍ତି, ଯାହା ବସ୍ତୁତଃ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅସ୍ମିତାର ଘୋର ପରିପନ୍ଥୀ । 

ଯେଉଁ ରେଭେନ୍ସା ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଡିଭିଜନର କମିଶନର ଥିଲାବେଳେ ‘ନ ଅଙ୍କ’ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ଓଡ଼ିଶାକୁ ତଳିତଳାନ୍ତ କରିଦେଇଥିଲା ଓ ଅନାହାର ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ମୁଖରେ ପଡିଥିଲେ ବହୁଲକ୍ଷ ଓଡ଼ିଆ , ସେହି ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ନାମରେ ରାଜ୍ୟର ପ୍ରାଚୀନତମ ଶିକ୍ଷାୟତନ ନାମିତ ହୋଇ ରହିବା ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଜାତିର ଅସ୍ମିତା ଦୃଷ୍ଟେ ଆଦୌ ସହ୍ୟ ନୁହେଁ ବୋଲି କହିଛନ୍ତି ଶ୍ରୀ ପ୍ରଧାନ । ରେଭେନ୍ସା ନାମକୁ ରାଜନୀତିର ଖେଳ ପଡ଼ିଆ କରିବା ମତଲବ ନଥିଲେ ବା ସତ୍ୟ ଜାଣିଥିଲେ ସେ ସମ୍ଭବତଃ ଏହା କହିନଥାନ୍ତେ । 

ସତ୍ୟ ହେଲା, ସେହି ଭୟାନକ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷର କାରଣ ନଥିଲେ ରେଭେନ୍ସା। ବରଂ ସେପରି ଏକ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ପୁନର୍ବାର ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ଦେଖା ନଦେଉ -ଏଥିପାଇଁ ସେ ଏପରି ସୁଚିନ୍ତିତ ପଦକ୍ଷେପ ନେଇଥିଲେ ଯେ, ତାଙ୍କ ପରଠାରୁ ଏଯାଏଁ ସେପରି ଏକ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ଆଉ ଓଡ଼ିଶାକୁ କବଳିତ କରିନାହିଁ । 

ଥୋମାସ ଏଡ଼ୱାର୍ଡ ରେଭେନ୍ସା ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଡିଭିଜନର ପଦାସୀନ କମିଶନର ଭାବେ କଟକରେ ଅବସ୍ଥାପିତ ହୋଇଥିଲେ ସନ ୧୮୬୫ ଜୁଲାଇରେ । ସେତେବେଳକୁ ନ ଅଙ୍କ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ମୁଖବ୍ୟାଦାନ କରିସାରିଥିଲା । 

ଜୁଲାଇ ହେଉଛି ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ଜୀବନ ଧାରଣର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଆଧାର – ଧାନ-ର ପରିପୁଷ୍ଟି କାଳ । ବର୍ଷା ଅଭାବରୁ ପୂର୍ବବର୍ଷର କ୍ଷେତ ଉଜୁଡ଼ି ଯାଇଥିଲା । କୌଣସି ଜଳସେଚନ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ନଥିଲା । କୃଷକମାନେ ବର୍ଷା ଉପରେ ନିର୍ଭର କରନ୍ତି ଯାହା ଜୁନରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥାଏ । ବର୍ଷା ହେଲାନି । ଯେତେବେଳେ ହେଲା, ଭୟଙ୍କର ବନ୍ୟାରେ ମରୁଡ଼ିରୁ ବଞ୍ଚିଥିବା କ୍ଷେତ ଧୋଇହୋଇଗଲା । ଚାଷ ପୂର୍ବ ବର୍ଷ ପରି ସଂପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଉଜୁଡ଼ି  ଗଲା । ସାନି ଚାଷ ପାଇଁ ସମୟ ନଥିଲା । ପୂର୍ବବର୍ଷରୁ ଲାଗିରହିଥିବା ତିରୋଟ ୧୮୬୫ର ସର୍ବବ୍ୟାପୀ ମରୁଡ଼ି ଓ ବନ୍ୟା ସହ ମିଶି ସୃଷ୍ଟିକଲା ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ । ସାରା ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଯେ ଭୟଙ୍କର ପ୍ରାଣଘାତୀ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷର ସମ୍ମୁଖୀନ , ନୂଆ କମିଶନର ତାହା ଜାଣିବାର ଉପାୟ ବି ନଥିଲା । କାରଣ ସେତେବେଳକୁ ଏହି ଡିଭିଜନରେ ଇଂରେଜମାନଙ୍କ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାଳୟ ଚଳଉଥିଲେ ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀମାନେ, ଯେଉଁମାନେ ପୂର୍ବ ତିରୋଟ ଅବସ୍ଥାର ସୁଯୋଗ ନେଇ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଶସ୍ତାରେ ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନଙ୍କ ଜମି କିଣିନେଇଥିଲେ ଓ ଅଧିକ ଶସ୍ତାରେ ଅଧିକ ଜମି କିଣିପାରିବା ପାଇଁ  ନ’ଙ୍କ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ସକାଶେ ପଥ ପରିଷ୍କାର କରିଥିଲେ ।   

ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ରେଭେନ୍ସା ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଡିଭିଜନର କମିଶନର ହେବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସେହି ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀ କର୍ମଚାରୀମାନେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାଖଣ୍ଡକୁ କିପରି ସର୍ବନାଶ କବଳକୁ ଠେଲି ନେଇଚାଲିଥିଲେ ତାହାର ଏକ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟକ୍ଷଦର୍ଶୀ ବିବରଣୀ ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି ଏହି ଖଣ୍ଡର ‘କଟକ’ ଜିଲ୍ଲାରେ ଜିଲ୍ଲାପାଳ ଭାବେ କାମ କରିଥିବା ଡବ୍ଲ୍ୟୁ  ଟ୍ରୋୱର (W. Trower)।

ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଇଂରେଜଙ୍କ ଦେଶୀ ଚାକର (“native servants”) ବୋଲି ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରିଥିବା ଟ୍ରୋୱର  ଲେଖିଛନ୍ତି – ଏହି ଦେଶୀ ଚାକରମାନେ ଜୁଲୁମ ଓ ଜାଲିଆତି ବଳରେ ଜିଲ୍ଲାର ମୂଳ ଅଧିବାସୀମାନଙ୍କର ଜମି ଓଗେର ଆତ୍ମସାତ କରିବାକୁ ଏଠି ସର୍ବତ୍ର ସତେ ଯେମିତି ଏକ ନିୟମସିଦ୍ଧ ପଦ୍ଧତ୍ତିରେ ପରିଣତ କରିସାରିଛନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ନିଯୁକ୍ତ କର୍ମଚାରୀ ଭାବେ ଅନ୍ୟାୟ କବଳରୁ ସାଧାରଣ ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବା ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତେ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ମହା ବିପତ୍ତି ଓ ସଂତ୍ରାସ ଭାବେ ଉଭା ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି । (A regular system of oppression and peculation appears to exist throughout and instead of proving a protection to the country and a preventive against improper conduct, these people are considered terror and the scourge of the district.” (Revenue Administration in Orissa, Report of W. Trower, Collector of Cuttack, dated 23rd May, 1817 – Ms. Vol.387, Orissa State Archives) 

ଟ୍ରୋୱରଙ୍କ ଉପରୋକ୍ତ ରିପୋର୍ଟରେ ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀ କର୍ମଚାରୀମାନେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାପାଇଁ “ମହା ବିପତ୍ତି ଓ ସଂତ୍ରାସ” ଭାବେ ଚିହ୍ନିତ ହୋଇଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧରେ କୌଣସି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ ହୋଇନଥିଲା , କାରଣ ପ୍ରଶାସନିକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ସମ୍ପାଦନ ପାଇଁ ଇଂରେଜମାନେ ସେହିମାନଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ନିର୍ଭରଶୀଳ ଥିଲେ। ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ଯାଏଁ ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ କୌଣସି ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ହୋଇନଥିଲା ।   ସୁତରାଂ ପ୍ରଶାସନ ଦାୟିତ୍ବରେ ଥିବା ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀମାନେ କ୍ରମାଗତ ତିରୋଟ କଥା କର୍ତ୍ତୃପକ୍ଷଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଲୁଚାଇ ରଖି ଓ ସମ୍ଭାବ୍ୟ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ କର୍ତ୍ତୃପକ୍ଷଙ୍କୁ ଅନ୍ଧକାରରେ ରଖି ନ’ଙ୍କ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ କବଳକୁ ଫିଙ୍ଗିଦେଇଥିଲେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାକୁ । ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଦୁର୍ଦ୍ଦଶା ଦେଖି ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଚାଉଳ ଆମଦାନୀ ସକାଶେ ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ୟମ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଦାୟିତ୍ବରେ ଥିବା ବଙ୍ଗ ଉପରାଜ୍ୟପାଳଙ୍କ ଦ୍ଵାରା ଯେପରି ବାରମ୍ବାର ଉପେକ୍ଷିତ ହୋଇଥିଲା ତାହା ମୂଳରେ ବି ଥିଲେ ସେଠିକା ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀ ଅମଲା । କିନ୍ତୁ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ କବଳିତ ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନଙ୍କୁ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବା ପାଇଁ ରେଭେନ୍ସା ଯେଉଁ ଆକୃତିମ, ଅନନ୍ୟ, ନିରଳସ ଚେଷ୍ଟା ଚଳାଇଥିଲେ ତାହା ଇତିହାସ ଅଲିଭା ଅକ୍ଷରରେ ସାଇତି ରଖିଛି । 

ଏହି ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷର କାରଣ ଜାଣିବା ପାଇଁ ଇଂରେଜ କର୍ତ୍ତୃପକ୍ଷ ୧୮୬୬ରେ ଏକ ତିନିଜଣିଆ ତଦନ୍ତ କମିଟି ବସାଇଥିଲେ । ପ୍ରଶାସନିକ କଳ (administrative machineries) ଦୋଷରୁ ଏହି ଭୟାନକ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ଘଟିଥିଲା ବୋଲି କମିଟି ରିପୋର୍ଟରେ ସ୍ଵୀକାର କରାଯାଇଛି । ଏକଥା ମଧ୍ୟ ଭାରତ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ଜଳ ସମ୍ପଦ ମନ୍ତ୍ରଣାଳୟ ଦ୍ଵାରା ପ୍ରକାଶିତ History of Irrigation Development in Orissa ବିଷୟର ଗବେଷକ ଇଂ ଜି. ସି. ସାହୁ ପ୍ରସଙ୍ଗକ୍ରମେ ଉଲ୍ଲେଖ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ସେ ଲେଖିଛନ୍ତି, “In the report, they blamed the local officials and the entire system of administration of Bengal”(Para 5.1.1 of the report).

ଏହି ସତ୍ୟ ପ୍ରତି ଦୃଷ୍ଟିପାତ ନକରି ୧୮୬୫ ଜୁଲାଇରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ପଦାସୀନ କମିସନର ହୋଇଥିବା ଶ୍ରୀ ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କୁ ନ’ଙ୍କ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ପାଇଁ ଦାୟୀ କରିବା ଜଣେ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ପକ୍ଷେ ଯେ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ  ଅସଙ୍ଗତ – ଏଥିରେ ସନ୍ଦେହର ଅବକାଶ ନାହିଁ ।

ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ସୌଭାଗ୍ଯକୁ ରେଭେନ୍ସା ସାହେବ କମିଶନର ଭାବେ ପଦାସୀନ ହେବା ଓ ନ’ଙ୍କ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ମୁଖବ୍ୟାଦାନ କରିବା ଏକକାଳୀନ ଘଟିଥିଲା । ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଦୁର୍ଦ୍ଦଶା ପ୍ରତ୍ୟକ୍ଷ କରି ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଜୀବନରକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ଖାଦ୍ଯର ବନ୍ଦୋବସ୍ତ ସକାଶେ ସେ ଯେଉଁ ବ୍ଯାକୁଳ ପ୍ରଚେଷ୍ଟା କରିଥିଲେ ତାହା ଇତିହାସ ଅପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନୀୟ ଭାବେ ଲିପିବଦ୍ଧ  କରିଛି ।

ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ଭିନ୍ନ ଅନ୍ୟ କେହି କମିଶନର ଥିଲେ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ସମ୍ଭାବନାର ମୂଳପୋଛ ପାଇଁ ଯେଉଁସବୁ ପଦକ୍ଷେପ ନିଆ ହେଲା ତାହା ହୁଏତ ସେପରି ଯୁଦ୍ଧକାଳୀନ କ୍ଷିପ୍ରତା ଓ ଏକାଗ୍ରତା ସହ ସମ୍ପନ୍ନ ହୋଇପାରିନଥାନ୍ତା । ଉଦାହରଣ ସ୍ୱରୂପ, ତାଙ୍କରି ବ୍ୟଗ୍ରତା ହେତୁ ମହାନଦୀରେ ଯୋବ୍ରା ଆନିକଟ ଓ ସଂଲଗ୍ନ କେନାଲ ପାଇଁ ସରକାରୀ ମଞ୍ଜୁରୀ ଓ ଅନୁଦାନ ମିଳିଥିଲା ୨୪.୧୦.୧୮୬୫ । ଯେଉଁ ଆନିକଟ, ଆଡ଼ିବନ୍ଧ, କେନାଲ ସମୂହ ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ଅକ୍ଲାନ୍ତ ପରିଶ୍ରମ ହେତୁ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ଓଡ଼ିଶାକୁ ଶସ୍ୟଶ୍ଯାମଳ କରିପାରିଲା, ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଉଲ୍ଲେଖନୀୟ ହେଲେ, ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣୀ , ବିରୂପା , ବୈତରଣୀ, ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣରେଖା, ସାଳନ୍ଦୀ, ଲୁଣା, ଚିତ୍ରୋତ୍ପଳା  ଇତ୍ୟାଦିରେ ବନ୍ଧ,ଆଡ଼ିବନ୍ଧ, ଆନିକଟ, କେନାଲ, ଉପକେନାଲ, ଶାଖା କେନାଲ ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ଯାହାର ଏକ ବିଶଦ ବିବରଣୀ ଆମକୁ ଉପରୋକ୍ତ History of Irrigation Development in Orissa ଶୀର୍ଷକ ନିବନ୍ଧରୁ ମିଳେ, ଯାହା ଭାରତ ସରକାର ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିଛନ୍ତି । କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଶିକ୍ଷାମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ମୁଣ୍ଡରେ ଅଠା ବୋଲିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସରକାରଙ୍କ ଏହି ଦସ୍ତାବିଜ ଅନୁଶୀଳନ କରିବା ଉଚିତ ଥିଲା । ସେ ଜାଣିବା ଉଚିତ ଯେ, କମିଶନର ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ସକ୍ରିୟ ତଦାରଖ ଓ ସମ୍ପୃକ୍ତି ଭିନ୍ନ ବନ୍ୟା ଓ ମରୁଡ଼ି ନିୟନ୍ତ୍ରଣର ଏହି ସବୁ ପ୍ରକୀର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଯୋଜନା ନିର୍ଭୁଲ ଭାବେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକାରୀ ହେବା ସମ୍ଭବ ନଥିଲା । ସେ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ସ୍ଵାର୍ଥ ରକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ଏତେ ବ୍ଯାକୁଳ ଥିଲେ ଯେ, ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନଙ୍କୁ ଅସୁବିଧାରେ ପକାଇ ଚାଲିଥିବା ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରଭାବ-ଅନୁବର୍ତ୍ତୀ କେତେକ ଇଂରେଜଙ୍କ ଆଖିରେ ସେ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲେ ସତେ ଅବା ଜଣେ ନିପଟ ଓଡ଼ିଆ !

କଟକରେ ରହୁଥିବା ଇଂରେଜମାନେ ଜାଣିଥିଲେ ଯେ, ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନେ ସ୍ଵଭାବତଃ ସନ୍ତୁଷ୍ଟଚିତ୍ତ, ସରଳ, ଖୋଲା ହୃଦୟ ଓ ନିଷ୍କପଟ ଲୋକ । ଓଡ଼ିଆଙ୍କର ଏହି ସବୁ ସଦ୍ଗୁଣ ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କର ମଧ୍ୟ ଥିଲା ।  

ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ପ୍ରସାଦ ଦାସଙ୍କ ଦେଶ କାଳ ପାତ୍ର ବହିର ଅନୁଦିତ ପୁସ୍ତକ A Time Elsewhere ପଢିଲା ବେଳେ ଏକଥା ଦୃଷ୍ଟିକୁ ଆସେ । ପ୍ରେକ୍ଷାପଟ କୌତୁହଳୋଦ୍ଦୀପକ । ଅମଲାତନ୍ତ୍ରର ଅଭ୍ୟସ୍ତ ଓଡ଼ିଆବିଦ୍ଵେଷୀମାନେ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ପରିସ୍ଥିତି ପାଇଁ ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ମୁଣ୍ଡରେ ଅଠା ବୋଳିବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟାରତ ଥିଲେ । ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ଉପରେ ଯେଉଁ ତଦନ୍ତ କମିଟି ବସିଥିଲା ତାହା ବଙ୍ଗଳା ପ୍ରଶାସନକୁ ଦାୟୀ କରିଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ, ରେଭେନ୍ସା ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଆସିବାକୁ ମୂଳରୁ ଅମଙ୍ଗ ଥିବା ଦୃଷ୍ଟେ, ତାହା ତାଙ୍କ ଅବଚେତନରେ ଥିବା ଓଡ଼ିଆ-ବିଦ୍ଵେଷ ବୋଲି ମନେ କରି ଏହି ବିପତ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ସେ ବି ଦାୟୀ ଥିବାର ଆଶଙ୍କା ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଇଥିଲା । ତାଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଅଯୋଗ୍ୟତାର ଆରୋପ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଯେତିକି ମନୋବ୍ୟଥା ଦେଇଥିଲା, ତଦପେକ୍ଷା ଅଧିକ ବ୍ୟଥା ଦେଇଥିଲା ତାଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଓଡ଼ିଆ-ବିଦ୍ବେଷର ଆରୋପଣ । ସେ ସେଥିପାଇଁ କଟକରେ ରହୁଥିବା କେତେକ ଇଂରେଜଙ୍କୁ ଅନୁରୋଧ କରିଥିଲେ କି, ସେ ଓଡ଼ିଆବିଦ୍ଵେଷୀ ନୁହନ୍ତି ବୋଲି ସେମାନେ ନିଜ ନିଜ ମତ ରଖିବା ଉଚିତ । ସେହି ଇଂରେଜମାନେ ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କୁ ଭଲପାଉଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କ ସରଳତା ଓ ନିଷ୍କପଟତା ଶାସକସୁଲ୍ଲଭ ନୁହେଁ ବୋଲି ବିଚାରୁଥିଲେ ଓ ସେଥିପାଇଁ ସେମାନେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନଙ୍କ ସମଗୋତ୍ରୀୟ କହି ଥଟ୍ଟା ଟାପରା କରିଥିଲେ । ବହିଟିର  ଭାଷାରେ – “Ravenshaw decided that he would write to Englishmen in Cuttack and ask them to state that he harboured no ill feeling towards Oriyas. He had a talk with a couple of Englishmen about this and in no time news reached all Sahibs of Cuttack, They were all fond of Ravenshaw but at the same time, they made fun of him for his love of ease, his simplicity, his openness and plain dealing. Now the Sahibs remarked to each other that the finest specimen of the Oriya race was none other than Ravenshaw himself!” (page 143) 

ପ୍ରେକ୍ଷାପଟ ଯାହା ବି ହେଉ, ଏଥିରୁ ଏହାହିଁ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ଯେ, ଯେଉଁ ଇଂରେଜମାନେ ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ “ମହାବିପତ୍ତି ଓ  ସଂତ୍ରାସ” ବନିଥିବା ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀଙ୍କ ପୃଷ୍ଠପୋଷକ ଥିଲେ ଓ ସ୍ଵଭାବତଃ ସଦା ସନ୍ତୁଷ୍ଟ, ସରଳ, ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟବାଦୀ, ନିଷ୍କପଟ ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନଙ୍କୁ ଶୋଷଣଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଉପାଦାନ ବୋଲି ଭାବୁଥିଲେ, ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମତରେ ରେଭେନ୍ସା ଥିଲେ ସେହି ସମସ୍ତ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଗୁଣର ଉତ୍କୃଷ୍ଟତମ ଦୃଷ୍ଟାନ୍ତ । 

ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ଏହି ଓଡ଼ିଆପଣ କୁଳବୃଦ୍ଧ ମଧୁସୂଦନ ପ୍ରତ୍ଯକ୍ଷ କରିଥିଲେ ୧୮୯୭ ଜୁଲାଇ ୧୨ରେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ବିଲାତ ଗସ୍ତ ବେଳେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ସାକ୍ଷାତ କରିଥିଲେ । ପୂର୍ବରୁ ପରିଚୟ ନଥିଲା । କିନ୍ତୁ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଜାତି ପାଇଁ ତାଙ୍କର ଅତୁଳନୀୟ ଅବଦାନ ଓ ହୃଦୟଭରା  ମମତା ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଅବଗତ ଥିବା ହେତୁ ବିଲାତ ରହଣି ବେଳେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ଭେଟି ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନଙ୍କ କୃତଜ୍ଞତା ଜ୍ଞାପନ କରିବାକୁ ମଧୁବାବୁ ମନ ସ୍ଥିର କରିଥିଲେ । ଆଳାପ ମଝିରେ ରେଭେନ୍ସା ହଠାତ୍ ପଚାରିଲେ, “କ୍ଷମା କରିବେ, ଆପଣ ଖାଣ୍ଟି ଓଡ଼ିଆ ତ ?” ମଧୁବାବୁ କହିଲେ, “ମୋ ଦେହର ପ୍ରତିଟି ରକ୍ତ କଣିକା ଓଡ଼ିଆର ।” ଏହା ଶୁଣି ରେଭେନ୍ସା ଖୁବ ଖୁସି ହୋଇଗଲେ ଓ ତାଙ୍କ ସହ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାଷାରେ କଥା ହେଲେ । “ମୁଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଜାତି (race ) ପାଇଁ ଗର୍ବକରେ ଏବଂ ଜଣେ ଓଡ଼ିଆଙ୍କ ସହ ମୁଁ ଯେପରି ମନ ଖୋଲି କଥା ହୋଇପାରିବି, ଅନ୍ୟ କାହା ସହ ସେପରି ନୁହେଁ ।” – କହିଥିଲେ ରେଭେନ୍ସା । ମଧୁବାବୁ ଉତ୍କଳ ଦୀପିକାକୁ ପଠାଇଥିବା ବୃତାନ୍ତରେ ଏହା ଏହିପରିଭାବେ ଲେଖିଥିଲେ – “….After a few minutes he (Ravenshaw) said, excuse me asking the question, are you a genuine Oriya? I said, every drop of blood in me is of Oriya origin. He – I am very fond of your race and I would talk more freely to an Oriya than to any other man. Ravenshaw spoke in Oriya, offering a cigar.”

ଏଥିରୁ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଜାତି ପାଇଁ ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ଏକାତ୍ମବୋଧତା କେତେ ନିବିଡ଼ ଥିଲା ତାହା  ଅନୁଭବ କରିହୁଏ ।

ବ୍ୟାସକବି ଫକୀରମୋହନଙ୍କଠୁ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ କେହି ଅସ୍ମିତା-ଅଭିନେତା ଅଧିକ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ନୁହନ୍ତି । ସେ ଲେଖିଛନ୍ତି :

“ହେ ରେଭେନ୍ସା ପୁଣ୍ୟଶ୍ଳୋକ ଧର୍ମପରାୟଣ,

ଧନ୍ଯ ମୁହିଁ ତୁମ୍ଭ ନାମ କଲି ଉଚ୍ଚାରଣ 

ଓଡ଼ିଶା ମା ବାପ କାହିଁ ତୁମ୍ଭ ପରି ଜଣେ?

ଓଡ଼ିଶା ସକାଶେ ଲାଗିଥିଲ ପ୍ରାଣପଣେ । 

ପର ପାଇଁ କରିବାର ଆତ୍ମବିସର୍ଜନ ,

ଦେଖାଇ ଯାଇଛ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ସେଥି ନିଦର୍ଶନ ।”  (ଉତ୍କଳ ଭ୍ରମଣ, ପୃ ୧୨ )

ଫକୀରମୋହନଙ୍କ ଉପରୋକ୍ତ ଅଭିମତରେ ରେଭେନ୍ସା ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲେ ସତେ ଯେମିତି ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ “ମା ବାପ” ।  ସେ ଓଡ଼ିଆମାନଙ୍କ ସପକ୍ଷରେ ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀମାନଙ୍କ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧରେ ପକ୍ଷପାତ କରୁଥିବା ଅଭିଯୋଗ ଉପରେ ପ୍ରତିକ୍ରିୟା ରଖି କଟକ ହାଇସ୍କୁଲର ଏକ ଉତ୍ସବରେ ରେଭେନ୍ସା  ଯାହା କହିଥିଲେ, ତହିଁରୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଜାଣିହୁଏ , ମା ବାପା ନିଜ ସନ୍ତାନକୁ ହାତ ଧରି ଆଗକୁ ନେଲାପରି ସେହି ଅନ୍ଧକାରମୟ କାଳରେ  ଓଡ଼ିଆଜାତିକୁ ଆଲୋକକୁ ନେଇଯିବା ପାଇଁ ତାଙ୍କ ବ୍ଯାକୁଳତା ଥିଲା ଏକାନ୍ତ ନୀତିନିଷ୍ଠ ଓ ନିରନ୍ଧ୍ର । ଉତ୍କଳ ଦୀପିକା ଦେଇଥିବା ତାଙ୍କ ଅଭିଭାଷଣର ବିବରଣୀ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ସେ କହିଥିଲେ, “କେହି କେହି ମନେ କରନ୍ତି ଯେ, ସେ ଓଡ଼ିୟାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ବିଶେଷ ଅନୁରକ୍ତ ହୋଇ ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀମାନଙ୍କ ଉନ୍ନତି ଦେଖିପାରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ , ମାତ୍ର ଏକଥା ଭ୍ରମ ଅଟଇ । xxxxxxx ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀଙ୍କ ଶିକ୍ଷା ନିମିତ୍ତ ବଙ୍ଗଳାରେ ଯଥେଷ୍ଟ ସୁଯୋଗ ଅଛି । ଏଠା ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ କେବଳ ଏ ଦେଶୀୟଙ୍କ ସକାଶେ । ଅତଏବ, ଏ ଦେଶୀୟ ଲୋକମାନେ ଯେତେ ଉଚ୍ଚଶିକ୍ଷା ଲାଭ କରୁଥିବେ, ତେତେ ତାହାଙ୍କର ଆନନ୍ଦ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ହେଉଥିବ ( ଉତ୍କଳ ଦୀପିକା ଭା ୮ ଗ , ସଂ ୯ ଖ୍ୟା, ୧.୩.୧୮୭୩) ।  ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀମାନଙ୍କ ରୋଷ କଷାୟିତ ଭାଷାରେ ସେ ଥିଲେ ନିତାନ୍ତ ଓଡ଼ିଆ –  “କମିସନରଟା ନିତାନ୍ତ ଉଡ଼େ ହୟେଛେ” ( ଉତ୍କଳ ଦୀପିକା ଭା ୮ ଗ , ସଂ ୧୨ ଖ୍ୟା, ୨୨.୩.୧୮୭୩)।

 ରେଭେନ୍ସା କିପରି ଓଡ଼ିଆପ୍ରାଣ ଥିଲେ ତାହା ଜାଣିବା ପାଇଁ ଉପରୋକ୍ତ ତଥ୍ୟ ଯଦି ଧର୍ମେନ୍ଦ୍ରବାବୁଙ୍କୁ ଯଥେଷ୍ଟ ନହୁଏ, ତେବେ ତାଙ୍କ ଅବଗତିରେ ଥିବା ଘଟଣାରୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଦୃଷ୍ଟାନ୍ତ ଦିଆଯାଇପାରେ ।  

ନିର୍ବାଚନ ଯାଏଁ ତାଙ୍କ ଦଳ ବିଜେପିର ବରବନ୍ଧୁ ଥିବା ନବୀନ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ ଗୋଟେ ଅଣଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭି. କେ. ପଣ୍ଡିଆନଙ୍କୁ ନିଜର ବିଶ୍ବସ୍ତତମ ସହଯୋଗୀ ବନାଇ ଓଡ଼ିଶାକୁ ନାହିଁନଥିବା ଦୁର୍ନୀତି, ତୋଷରପାତ, ଜାଲିଆତି, ପ୍ରିୟାପ୍ରୀତିତୋଷଣର ଅଭୟାରଣ୍ୟରେ ପରିଣତ କରିଥିଲେ । ମାତ୍ର କମିଶନର ରେଭେନ୍ସା ବଙ୍ଗାଳୀ ପ୍ରାବଲ୍ୟ ସତ୍ତ୍ୱେ ଜଣେ ଓଡ଼ିଆଙ୍କୁ ନିଜ ଅନ୍ତରଙ୍ଗ ସହାୟକ ଭାବେ ଆଦରିଥିଲେ । ସେ ହେଲେ ବିଚିତ୍ରାନନ୍ଦ ଦାସ, ଯେ କି ଥିଲେ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ପ୍ରସାଦ ଦାସଙ୍କ ଭାଷାରେ “the right-hand man of the commissioner” (A Time Elsewhere, p.51) 

ଏହିପରି ଜଣେ ଓଡ଼ିଆପ୍ରାଣ ମହାନୁଭାବଙ୍କୁ ନ’ଙ୍କ ଦୁର୍ଭିକ୍ଷ ପାଇଁ ଅଯଥାରେ ଦୋଷ ଦେଇ ସେ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ବିଦ୍ଵେଷୀ ବୋଲି କହିବା ଦାୟିତ୍ଵହିନତାର ପରିଚାୟକ । 

ଉଲ୍ଲେଖ ନିଷ୍ପ୍ରୟୋଜନ ଯେ, ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅସ୍ମିତା ଆଳରେ ରେଭେନ୍ସାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଅବାଞ୍ଛିତ ଆକ୍ଷେପ ନିକ୍ଷେପ କରିଥିବା ଧର୍ମେନ୍ଦ୍ରବାବୁଙ୍କ ଦଳ ହିଁ ନିଜ ଛଦ୍ମ ଏଜେଣ୍ଟ ଭାବେ ଉପରୋକ୍ତ ଅଣଓଡ଼ିଆ ପଣ୍ଡିଆନଙ୍କୁ କୌଶଳକ୍ରମେ ନବୀନଙ୍କ ସଚିବ ପଦରେ ଖଞ୍ଜି ଦେଇଥିଲା, ଯାହା ସହ ତହିଁର ଦ୍ଵିତୀୟ ତୁଙ୍ଗତମ ନେତା ଅମିତ ଶାହା ନିର୍ବାଚନ ସଜବାଜ ସମୟରେ କବାଟ କିଳା ଗୁପ୍ତ ଆଲୋଚନା କରିଥିଲେ । ରାଜନୀତିରେ ଯୋଗଦେଇ ନିର୍ବାଚନରେ ବିଜେପିର ଅଭ୍ଯୁଦୟ ନିଷ୍କଣ୍ଟକ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଅନୁକୂଳ ବାତାବରଣ ତିଆରି କରିବା ସକାଶେ  ଆଇ ଏ ଏସ୍ ଚାକିରିରୁ  ତାଙ୍କ ଇସ୍ତଫା  ଆବଶ୍ୟକୀୟ ଯାଞ୍ଚ ବିନା ତତ୍କାଳ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିଥିଲେ ଧର୍ମେନ୍ଦ୍ରଙ୍କ ଦଳର ସରକାର । ଏହି ଭିତିରି ସମ୍ପର୍କ ହେତୁ ଧର୍ମେନ୍ଦ୍ରବାବୁଙ୍କ ଦଳ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ସରକାର ଗଢିବାର ଏତେଦିନ ଅତିବାହିତ ହୋଇଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ, ତାଙ୍କ ଗର୍ହିତ ଅପରାଧ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧରେ  ଏଯାଏଁ କୌଣସି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ କରିନାହିଁ  । 

ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅସ୍ମିତାର ଉପରଠାଉରିଆ ଦୁହା କେଉଁଥିପାଇଁ ?

(ଅବଶିଷ୍ଟ ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ଭାଗରେ)

Assembly shouldn’t elect Naveen to Public Accounts Committee

Subhas Chandra Pattanayak
The Orissa Assembly should not elect Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik to the Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), as, thereby, he may influence the same while dealing with audit paras on misuse of the state exchequer during his tenure as the chief Minister for a very long period, till people refused him fresh mandate in election 2024. His tenure as chief minister is discernibly soiled with massive wrongful and unauthorised expenditure, which cannot escape the scanner of the C&AG.

There was discernible anarchy in public accounts. The appropriation granted by the Assembly was violated to the core that warrants strict scrutiny and severe action. And, the PAC has a major role in this.  

The PAC is the instrument “for examination of accounts showing the appropriation of sums granted  by the Assembly for the expenditure of the Government of Orissa, the annual finance accounts of the State Government and such other accounts laid before the Assembly as the Committee may think fit.” Naveen’s tenure had indulged in unlimited misappropriation. 

To elect him to the PAC would be anathema to transparency in the conduct of the PAC. It would be better for him not to seek election into this Committee, because it is unethical for a suspected culprit to sit in a chair to decide if he has committed the crime. If Naveen would be eager to get elected to this Committee, the Assembly should refuse him to have the position. And, this would be the best decision of the Assembly in democratic interest.   

Orissa Assembly// Opposition failed to give debates a democratic boost

Subhas Chandra Pattanayak
The Opposition in any legislature gives democracy the real boost by the best possible informed participation in the debates during its sessions. But the 17th Orissa Assembly ended the first phase of its first session under the overwhelming environment of walkout by the Opposition comprising the dethroned BJD and the third-positioned Congress.

Most of the sittings experienced no notable legislative contribution from the Opposition, particularly the Leader of Opposition. He could not engage the House in any real debate. The gracious speech delivered by the Governor was not condemned by the Opposition for use of Hindi in stark disregard to Orissa Official Language Act, but was refused review on the flimsy ground of injury to Oriya mana due to lack of action against one Lalit Kumar, whose misconduct was sloughed over allegedly as his father happened to be the Governor. When the Assembly was to act on the Orissa Appropriation (Vote-on-Account No.2) Bill on Wednesday, the Opposition remained conspicuous by its absence under pretense of protest. Sans any cut, the House approved appropriation of Rs.95,000/- crores proposed in the Bill. 

The people of Orissa are not unjustified in their apprehension that the Central Government has not done justice to this peculiar State in the Budget. The Opposition could not justify this apprehension with researched facts, which means it did not properly support the issue it raised. 

The Union Government’s refusal to grant Orissa the much needed ‘special category status’ is a matter that should have been discussed threadbare in the Assembly by the Opposition with facts and evidences.

Political refusal is no res judicata

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is certainly wrong in saying that there is no justification in demanding for the status again, as it has earlier been rejected by the central government as well as the Niti Ayog. The Opposition, instead of walking out, should have told the House that, refusal of this status to Orissa by India’s ruling politicians or the country’s politically created setups like the Niti Ayog or the 14th /15th Finance Commissions is no res judicata to hit the demand.

According to the original concept, the criteria for grant of Special Category Status to any State covers five components, such as (1) Hilly Terrain; (2) Low Population Density and/or Sizeable Share of Tribal Population; (3) Strategic Location along Borders with Neighbouring Countries; (4) Economic and Infrastructure Backwardness; and (5) Nonviable Nature of State finances. Orissa is vitiated with all these components. When certain States have been given the status of Special category as per this criteria, the same cannot be denied to a qualifying State like Orissa under any pretence.

As far as Orissa is concerned, majority portion of its land is hilly terrain, 23% of its population is tribal out of which as many as 13 tribal groups are recognised as “Particularly Vulnerable” and In this matter, Orissa has the highest numbers of  vulnerable Tribal Groups in entire India (Annual Report, 2019-20, Ministry of Tribal Welfare, Govt. of India, pp.274-275). Thirdly, the Mahodadhi, wrongfully named Bay of Bengal by British colonialists, puts Orissa face-to-face with Myanmar (Burma). Thus, this State is a “Strategic Location along Borders with Neighbouring Countries. Fourthly, the Tribal and non-Tribal Jungle dwellers  living in the hilly terrains suffer immensely due to lack of infrastructure and economically are most backward. They are no less than 80% of the State’s population. And, fifthly, the State is in such desperate financial straits that, all its ongoing projects depend entirely on loan and central funding. Howsoever high may be official claim of financial stability, the State Government machinery has confessed – and the Union Government has never differed – that, Orissa’s exposure to fiscal risks arising out of natural disasters, non-repayment of loans extended by the State government to State PSUs, materialization of government guarantees to the State organizations etc. have a negative impact on debt
sustainability”.(Status Paper on Public Ddebt in Odisha, February 2023, Finance Department)  

Thus Orissa justifies her demand for Special Category Status. Instead of walking out, the Opposition should have built up a fair and factually strong debate on this issue. 

 

First day in Assembly/ Naveen Patnaik should have felt ashamed of his performance

Subhas Chandra Pattanayak
The first day in the 17th Assembly became an embarrassment to Orissa when Governor Raghubar Das delivered his customary speech in Hindi in blatant disregard to the sentiment of the people of Orissa and the Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik did not oppose to that.

The British was afraid of the valor of the Oriyas, as the first struggle of freedom it had faced in India (Subhas Chandra Pattanayak, Sri Jaya Devanka Baissi Pahacha, Bharat Bharati, 2005, page 39) was such that their participating historian G. Toynbee had to admit, “we had to encounter a storm which burst with so sudden furry as to threaten our expulsion, if not from the whole of Orissa, at least from the territory of Khurda” (O.H.R.J. Vol 1&2). They had to agree with their Law enforcer W.Forrester that, the Oriya speaking people are of such “disposition” that they cannot be subdued “either by military or police” (Para 18 of Forrester’s report to Commissioner Robert Ker, dated the 9th September 1818). Thereafter through tricks, the British had arbitrarily divided the Oriya speaking tracks and clubbed the divided portions with the major areas of rival tongues to reduce the brave Oriyas to the status of linguistic minorities. 

The nation of Oriyas woke up against this evil design, first in a meeting at Ghumusar under leadership of Dinabandhu Pattanayak and finally under the leadership of the great Madhusudan Das. The movement was so unique and justified that Mahatma Gandhi had to note in Young India on18 Feb.1920 that, “The fine race (of Oriyas) cannot possibly make the natural advance, which is its due, if it is split up into four divisions for no sound reason.” 

However, when British was torturing this “fine race” with its policy to weaken the valorous people of Oriya tongue by reducing them to the ignominious status of linguistic minorities in the bordering provinces to which they were force-transferred, the Hindi speaking people had played havoc with their lives in the Sambalpur region. By influencing the British, they had imposed Hindi in the region we now call ‘Western Orissa’. 

Their design was exposed by the great poet Gangadhar Meher in a poem captioned “Utkal Bharatir Ksobha”. A relevant portion is extracted below:

“ସମ୍ବଲପୁରର ଅଧିବାସୀମାନେ ଉତ୍କଳ ଚିର ସନ୍ତାନ

ହିନ୍ଦୀ ଆଧିପତ୍ୟ ହୋଇବା ସେଠାରେ ଶୁଣି ସର୍ବେ ହତଜ୍ଞାନ ।”

(All the people of the region were in overwhelming anguish due to proposed imposition of Hindi as their official language.) The idea of replacing Oriya with Hindi was engineered by the Hindi speaking fellows posted as employees in the offices of the Sambalpur belt. Depicting this mischief, the poet had rued, 

ସମ୍ବଲପୁରରୁ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ନିର୍ମୂଳ ହେବାର କାରଣ ଏହି 

ରାଜକର୍ମଚାରୀ , ହିନ୍ଦୀ ବାନା ଧରି ମହାରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରୀ ଛନ୍ତି ରହି । 

ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଜ୍ଞାନ ଉତ୍କଳରେ ଶୂନ୍ୟ ହେବାରୁ ହେଲା ସଙ୍କଟ 

ଏଥିପାଇଁ ଏବେ ଉତ୍କଳ ନିର୍ମୂଳ ହିନ୍ଦୀ ହୋଇବ ପ୍ରକଟ । 

(These Hindi-speaking employees are the root cause of removal of Oriya from offices. Maharastrians are floating their Hindi flag. As they do not know Oriya language, they have created this situation for administration in Hindi. As a result their conspiracy, Oriya is being ousted from offices and Hindi is being ushered in to engulf our land.)      

There was monumental mass movement against this evil design of the Hindi speaking employees. Even when Hindi was imposed and the people of Sambalpur region demanded for restoration of their language Oriya in the offices, the Hindi speaking fellows of the Central Province had succeeded in influencing the British authorities to reject the demand on the ground that, Hindi being the language of the majority of the population of the province, its status as official language cannot be changed. Brajamohan Pattanayak, Madan Mohan Mishra, Mahant Bihari Das and Balabhadra Suar, on behalf of the people of Sambalpur, submitted a memorandum to Viceroy Curzon demanding immediate withdrawal of Hindi from the offices in the region or to “return” the region Orissa. Below is an extract:

“Once it is considered impossible to introduce Oriya in only one district of Central Provinces, our district should be returned to Orissa.”

The Hindi speaking fellows were claiming that the region is Hindi dominated. A great mass meeting was held in Sambalpur under the presidentship of Dharanidhar Mishra. It resolved and reported to Viceroy Lord Elgin II that those who project Hindi as their language are hardly 5% of the population of Sambalpur district. Yet, their  so-called Hindi is in fact a hybrid called Lariya, which is generated by an admixture of Oriya and Hindi. this admixture has has developed, as Hindi speaking fellows having come in many numbers to conduct business have failed to retain their language and mixed the same with Oriya, to manage their business. It shows the strength of Oriya language in the District . An extract of this historic resolution is produced below:

“ହିନ୍ଦୀ ଏଠିକାର ଏକ ପଞ୍ଚମାଂଶ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଭାଷା ବୋଲି କଥିତ ହୋଇଅଛି । କିନ୍ତୁ ଏକଥା ଏଠାରେ ଉଲ୍ଲେଖଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଯେ, ଏହି ଏକ ପଞ୍ଚମାଂଶ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଭାଷା ଗୋଟିଏ ଅଚିହ୍ନିତ ଲାରିଆ ନାମକ ସ୍ଥାନୀୟ ଭାଷା । ଏହି ଲରିଆ ଭାଷା ଯେ ହିନ୍ଦୀ ଓ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାଷାର ମିଶ୍ରଣରେ ଉତ୍ପନ୍ନ ତାହା ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ଜଣା ଅଛି । ହିନ୍ଦୀଭାଷୀ ଲୋକମାନେ ବେପରବଣିଜ ପାଇଁ ଏଠାକୁ ବହୁତ ପରିମାଣରେ ଆସି ବାସ କରି  ସ୍ଵୟଂ ଭାଷା ଅକ୍ଷୁର୍ଣ୍ଣ ରଖି ପାରିନାହାନ୍ତି ବରଂ ଓଡ଼ିୟା ଶବ୍ଦ ଓ କଥନ ପ୍ରଣାଳୀ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରି ଅଛନ୍ତି । ଏଥିରୁ ଓଡ଼ିୟା ଭାଷାର ପ୍ରାଧାନ୍ଯ ଅନାୟସରେ ବୁଝିପାରାଯାଏ ।”

Despite this reality, the Hindi chauvinists had succeeded in imposing their language on administration of the Oriya speaking district. People of the region raised such a unique agitation to preserve their beloved language Oriya, that Sambalpur became identical with linguistic nationalism. 

Viceroy Lord Curzon asked Commissioner of Central Provinces Sir Andrew Fraser to conduct a spot survey to determine the real language of the people of Sambalpur district and report. Informing this to Madhubabu on 12 September1901, the Viceroy assured to take the final decision on receipt of Fraser’s report. Fraser reported that the Language of the district was Oriya. 

With this the conspiracy of the Hindi speaking people against the Oriyas had to fade away and the Sambalpur district returned to Orissa. 

This historical truth that Hindi language had played the nastiest tricks to keep people of the western part of Orissa bereft of their language in their offices for such a pretty long time, has never been forgotten by the nation of Oriyas. Taking advantage of a non-Oriya dominated administration, the Hindi speaking people are presently active in ruining the primacy of Oriya language in our border areas and industrial nerve centers like Rourkela. 

The Governor addressing the first session of the new Assembly in Hindi language is as much an insult to the “fine race” of Oriyas, as is deviation from legislative tradition of Orissa. 

Naveen Patnaik in his avatar as Leader of Opposition should have protested against this insult to Oriya mana by the Governor and the walkout of his party should have been linked to this deviation, which also has violated Section 3A of Orissa Official Language Act, 1954. 

Instead of doing this, the BJD staged a walkout under his leadership in protest against criminal misconduct of the Governor’s son. Naveen needs to be said that the State has not yet fully recovered from the climate of crime his long tenure in the Chief Minister’s chair had generated. The evident delay in acting against the son of the Governor is the result of the habitual administrative apathy shown sans qualms to any Oriya’s complaint during his regime that has just ended. Instead of finding fault with officials over their  inability to act promptly against the son of the Governor, who thrashed a government employee to physical injuries at Puri Rajbhavan recently, Naveen Patnaik should have felt ashamed of his own performance as chief minister that had made Himalayan contribution to employee-raj in Orissa, which has shown its ugly face in dealing with the offence caused by the Governor’s son.    

Restoration of Biju in nomenclature of Sports Award seems correct, but withdrawing his name from every official project is necessary

Subhas Chandra Pattanayak
The new Chief Minister of Orissa Mr. Mohan Charan Majhi has restored Biju Patnaik in the nomenclature of Sports Award. “The Biju Patnaik Sports Award” was promulgated when Naveen Patnaik had cooked up a conspiracy to keep his grip over Orissa tight by confusing the people with his father’s name prefixed to almost all the welfare projects.  People of Orissa refused mandate to Naveen in the last election. In appreciation of the mandate, mandarins in the Sports Department jettisoned Biju’s name from the Sports Award and rechristened it as “Orissa Rajya Krida Samman” Chief Minister Majhi has disapproved the change and restored the earlier nomenclature.

To me, this step of Mr. Majhi is not incorrect. The Sports Award is official. Hence, any change to its name should have been properly proposed by the administration and approved by the CM. Sans this, the change was arbitrary.  The CM, therefore, has done no wrong in restoring Biju’s name in the title of the Award.

But, he should take prompt steps to withdraw Biju’s name from all the projects named after him, including the Biju Patnaik Sports Award.  

This is essential in interest of democracy. The government that has been dethroned was formed by the Biju Janata Dal and christening official projects by the name of Biju was overwhelming the gullible  people to such devastative extent that they were unable to perceive the difference between Biju-named projects and Biju Janata Dal. They were thinking, all the welfare projects available to them such as  Biju Krushak Kalyana Yojana ,Biju Gramya Jyoti Yojana, Biju Saharanchal Vidyutikaran Yojana etc. were gifts to them by Biju Janata Dal. Therefore, despite loot of Orissa, BJD was getting their votes, till they were convinced of Naveen’s death blow to their beloved Language.  

For more than a decade, I have been demanding for deletion of Biju’s name from official projects. Even before election 2014 I had appealed the Election Commission to ban the projects named after Biju for the reasons noted above and detailed therein. ORISSA MATTERS had published the same under the caption:

Election Commission now must ban operation of all Orissa projects named after Biju Patnaik.   

Continuing official projects named after a man by whose name a political party participates in elections is nothing but playing havoc with electoral wisdom of the voters. 

I hope, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will apply his wisdom and take prompt steps to withdraw Biju’s name from Orissa’s official projects. 

I insist that Biju’s name from all official projects be withdrawn or Biju Janata Dal is banned. 

Democracy deserves not to be dismissed as a farce.

 

Oriya Language created Orissa and therefore Orissa must be ruled by Oriya Language

Subhas Chandra Pattanayak

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seems to have developed a wrong notion that governance of Orissa in Oriya depends upon his mercy. His press-note of December 17 and full page display advertisement in major broadsheets of today force us to arrive at this apprehension.

In his December 17 press note it was declared that he had held a meeting with the five members of the ministerial committee on that day for the purpose of “strictly implementing the Orissa Official Language Act, 1954 in official and non-official level” to facilitate which a website has been floated by the government. In the full page multi-color advertisement in broadsheet dailies today, this is intriguingly missing.

The advertisement is designed to tell the people that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has taken historical steps to save and develop Oriya language, and has enumerated the steps he has taken. This is blatant lie. Neither he nor his government has executed any single item claimed to be “historical” in the official advertisement. The entire advertisement is nothing but false propaganda. What a shame it is, that, the people of Orissa are taken for granted by their Chief Minister! Read more →

Navakalevara: Legends and reality

Subhas Chandra Pattanayak

Legends are the most misguiding mischief aimed at superimposing lies on reality so that indigenous people of an occupied land are kept too dazzled to see the dark face of the rulers and the class of exploiters can keep its victims subjugated to its authority, while forcing them to forget the heroic history of evolution of their own philosophy of life, their own splendid spiritual realizations, their own socio-economic uniqueness, their own ancient culture, their own valorous past, their own way of social integration and their own civilization.

We see this mischief galore in the context of Navakalevara of SriJagannatha.

So, here, we are to rip apart the legends and bring the reality of the Navakalevara to light, as thereby alone we can reach the lost uniqueness of the people of Orissa.

We will use Puri Sankaracharya’s self-proclaimed authority over Navakalevara to proceed with our purpose.

  Read more →

Samaja in Maze of Forgery: Two former Ministers of Orissa – Lingaraj Mishra & Radhanath Rath forged the WILL of Gopabandhu; Both benefitted till their death; SoPS continues to Loot

Subhas Chandra Pattanayak

The Oriya daily SAMAJA founded by late Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das, to which, out of their love and reverence for the great humanitarian leader, the people of Orissa had and have been giving their financial and moral support, is in a menacing maze of forgery and loot.

Sadly, two of Gopabandhu’s trusted men – Lingaraj Mishra and Radhanath Rath – who, because of being known so, had the opportunity of becoming cabinet ministers in Orissa, were the masterminds and/or makers of the forgery from which the paper is yet to be salvaged.

Both of them – Lingaraj and Radhanath – had partnered with each other in forging the last WILL of Gopabandhu to grab the Samaja, which being Gopabandhu’s paper was of superb credibility and the greatest political instrument of the day. They had performed this crime behind the screen of and in nexus with Servants of the People Society (SoPS), of which, while breathing his last, Gopabandhu was the Vice-President. Read more →