A Man of the People

Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation, was not just a freedom fighter but a true man of the people. His travels across India during the struggle for independence were legendary, but few know about his special connection with the eastern state of Odisha.

Gandhi's Odyssey: A Snapshot

• 2 visits to Hyderabad state

• 4 visits to Assam

• 7 visits to Odisha

• 12 visits to Tamil Nadu

• Countless visits to other Indian provinces

Odisha: The Apple of Gandhi's Eye

"Odisha is dearest to me in the whole of India... I had realised that one would be able to serve India in the real sense if he could serve Odisha. Afterwards, Odisha became a place of pilgrims for me…" - Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi's love for Odisha was no secret. Over the years, he made seven visits to the state, spending a total of 69 days between 1921 and 1946. But what made this bond so special?

The Odia Embrace: Three Faces of Adoration

1. As an avatar of the deity

2. As a savior against oppressive British rule

3. As the messiah of the Odia cause

Gandhi's Odisha Diaries: A Timeline

1. March 23, 1921: First visit on Dola Purnima

2. August 19, 1925

3. December 4, 1927

4. December 22, 1928

5. May 5, 1934: Began his famous padayatra from Puri to Bhadrak

6. March 25, 1938: Addressed the Beraboi Conference

7. January 20, 1946: Final visit

The Cuttack Chronicles: A City's Love Affair with the Mahatma

Gandhi's visits to Cuttack were nothing short of spectacular. Historian Ramachandra Guha paints a vivid picture:

• Crowds swarming railway stations

• People perched on treetops and building terraces

• Students pawning gold chains for bus tickets

• A barber woman borrowing fine jewelry to make an impression

"Those who attended Gandhi's meetings came to see him rather than to listen to him." - Ramachandra Guha

The Qadam-e-Rasool Address

• Topics: Khilafat Movement and Hindu-Muslim unity

• Women's meeting at Binod Bihari: Exhorted donation of jewelry for the freedom struggle

• Result: Nearly 60-70 tolas of jewelry and about a thousand rupees donated

Odisha's Gift to Gandhi: More Than Just Love

1. Inspiration for his iconic attire: The simple lifestyle of Odia people inspired Gandhi to adopt his minimalist dress code. 

2. The famous lathi: A gift from Acharya Harihar on behalf of Beruboi villagers in Puri district.

3. Language lessons: Gandhi learned Odia during his stays.

The Odia Connection: Beyond Borders

• Gandhi admired Odia leaders like Gopabandhu Das, Gopabandhu Choudhury, and Nabakrushna Choudhury.

• Some Odia people lived in Sabarmati Ashram, serving Gandhi for years.

The profound bond between Mahatma Gandhi and Odisha extended far beyond his numerous visits, leaving an indelible mark that persisted even after his tragic assassination. This enduring connection was evident in various ways, from the dedication of Odia individuals at Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram to the pivotal role an Odia man played in the aftermath of Gandhi's death.

For years, several Odia individuals devoted their lives to serving Gandhi at his Sabarmati Ashram, further cementing the special relationship between the Mahatma and Odisha. This commitment demonstrated the deep respect and admiration Odias held for Gandhi and his principles.

In a remarkable turn of events, an Odia man named Raghunath Nayak found himself at the center of one of India's most tragic moments. Hailing from Jaguliapada village in Kendrapada, Nayak was working as a gardener at Birla Bhawan in Delhi on the fateful day of January 30, 1948. When Gandhi was assassinated, it was Nayak who bravely apprehended the assassin as he attempted to flee the scene. Nayak's quick thinking and courage played a crucial role in ensuring justice, as he later served as a key witness in the murder trial.

Even in death, Gandhi's connection to Odisha remained strong. Following his cremation, Gandhi's ashes were brought to the state, where they were carefully preserved. From February 12 to June 27, 1948, the ashes were kept at the Raj Bhavan in Puri, a place of great spiritual significance. Subsequently, they were moved to Cuttack and stored in the Imperial Bank of India. This temporary custodianship of Gandhi's remains underscored Odisha's important place in preserving his memory. Eventually, the ashes were handed over to Gandhi's great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi, marking the end of this poignant chapter in Odisha's association with the Mahatma.

These events - from the heroic actions of an Odia gardener to the state becoming a temporary resting place for Gandhi's ashes - demonstrate how Odisha continued to play a significant role in Gandhi's legacy long after his physical presence had faded. They serve as a testament to the deep, enduring bond between Gandhi and the people of Odisha, a connection that transcended his lifetime and continues to inspire generations.