Salt Satyagraha Memorial Day
Puri, 28/4 – May 21, 1930, stands as a significant day in the history of the Salt Satyagraha at Kuhudi in Astaranga Block. On this day, under the leadership of Pandit Nilakantha Das, a group of Satyagrahis defied the British salt laws and were arrested for their civil disobedience. To commemorate this historic event, the District Administration, the Department of Information and Public Relations, and the Utkal Sangrami Smruti Samiti organize a memorial day celebration every year at Kuhudi.
This year marks the 93rd Salt Satyagraha Memorial Celebration. A preparatory meeting was recently held in the office chamber of the Additional District Magistrate (ADM). Presiding over the meeting, ADM Pradeep Kumar Sahu stated that this historic day should be observed with dignity and that it is our collective responsibility to pass on its significance to the next generation. District Information and Public Relations Officer Santosh Kumar Sethi welcomed the attendees and briefed them about the event schedule. Amiya Kumar Pattanaik, Executive President of the Utkal Sangrami Smruti Samiti, shared insights on past celebrations and the upcoming arrangements.
It was decided that on May 21, the day will begin with the recitation of Ramdhun at dawn. Following this, floral tributes will be paid at the statue of the freedom fighters located at the block office and at Kuhudi. A procession will be organized from the block office to Kuhudi. After the national flag is hoisted at Kuhudi, a discussion session on the Salt Satyagraha will be held. As a tribute to the legacy of the movement, Kanakalata Nayak, the granddaughter-in-law of the freedom fighter Radhi Bewa, will be felicitated. Students who excelled in the high school-level competitions held earlier will also be awarded.
The topics of these competitions were focused on the Salt Satyagraha and its impact. The speech competition centered on “Salt Satyagraha and Madhusudan,” the essay competition discussed “The Role of Kuhudi in Salt Satyagraha,” and the drawing competition illustrated the Salt Satyagraha in Kuhudi. The Astaranga Block Education Officer will notify schools about the date, time, and venue of the competitions.
In preparation for the celebration, it was decided to clean and paint the statue area, apply disinfectant, make proper drinking water arrangements, install a decorative gate at the entrance to Kuhudi, and organize cultural programs. The ADM gave specific instructions regarding these arrangements.
Among others, the meeting was attended by District Culture Officer Hemanta Behera, Sub-divisional Information and PR Officer Raghunath Sethi, Samiti Coordinator Kalandi Charan Chatoi, Member Satyabrata Lenka, Astaranga Block Chairperson Arati Nayak (via virtual presence), Tahasildar Rajalaxmi Nayak, BDO Bebita Manjari Nayak, IIC Panchanan Parida, and Block Education Officer Chittaranjan Swain. All participants actively engaged in the planning discussion.
