Bhubaneswar, October 5:Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday said the life and supreme sacrifice of Shaheed Baji Rout, the youngest martyr of India’s freedom movement, remain a powerful source of inspiration for today’s youth and students.

Addressing a ceremony organised to mark the birth anniversary of Shaheed Baji Rout, Chief Minister Majhi recalled the extraordinary courage and patriotism of the young freedom fighter, who sacrificed his life at the age of just 12 while resisting the oppressive rule of the British and the local king.

The Chief Minister said Baji Rout bravely confronted the British forces in an effort to protect the oppressed people and his motherland. His supreme sacrifice, he added, inspired people across the country to join the struggle for freedom and serve the nation.

“Shaheed Baji Rout’s life, marked by fearlessness, patriotism and extraordinary courage, is the greatest inspiration for today’s youth and students,” Majhi said.

The Chief Minister said the Odisha Government has launched a new tradition of honouring the great sons of the State and freedom fighters who made invaluable contributions to the nation’s freedom struggle.

He recalled that the birth anniversary of Shaheed Baji Rout was observed as a State-level celebration last year at his native village, Nilakanthapur. The village has since been declared a model village, while a Baji Rout Sports Complex is being constructed in Dhenkanal at an estimated cost of Rs 120 crore as a tribute to the legendary freedom fighter.

Majhi said the State Government remains committed to preserving the memory and legacy of Odisha’s great sons and martyrs. He added that all necessary steps are being taken to commemorate their contributions and ensure that their sacrifices continue to inspire future generations.

Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra and other distinguished guests paid floral tributes at the statue of Shaheed Baji Rout near the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department Hemant Sharma, Director of Information and Public Relations Sanjay Kumar Biswal, Joint Director Sucheta Priyadarshini and other officials were also present and paid floral tributes to the young martyr.