Puri, Oct 9: Internationally acclaimed sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik created a remarkable sand sculpture of Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das on Thursday, paying heartfelt tribute to the legendary leader on his birth anniversary at Puri Beach on Thursday.
Taking to his official ‘X’ handle, Pattnaik shared a picture of the sand art and describing Pandit Das as a true son of the soil. He said that Pandit Das dedicated his entire life to the service of humanity, the promotion of education, and the cause of social reform.
He added that this sand sculpture is a humble homage to Das’s enduring legacy and deep love for Odisha.
“Remembering Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das on his birth anniversary through my Sand Art at Puri Beach, Odisha. A true son of the soil, Pandit Gopabandhu Das dedicated his life to the service of humanity, education, and social reform. This tribute in sand is a humble homage to his enduring legacy and love for Odisha,” he wrote in the caption.
It is worth noting that Pandit Gopabandhu Das, a revered freedom fighter and social reformer, was born on October 9, 1877, into a Brahmin family in Suando village, situated on the banks of the Bhargabhi River in Puri district.
He completed his Bachelor of Arts from Ravenshaw College in 1904 and went on to earn both an MA and an LLB from Calcutta University in 1906. Known for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the poor and marginalized, Gopabandhu Das played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle.
Between 1917 and 1921, he served as a member of the Bihar and Odisha Legislative Assembly, where he advocated for the rights and development of the people of Odisha.
As an administrator and public servant, he initiated numerous efforts aimed at alleviating the suffering of those affected by recurring natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, and famines, as well as combating social issues like illiteracy, poverty, and disease.
A pioneer in journalism and public discourse, Pandit Gopabandhu Das founded the Odia newspaper The Samaja, which began its publication on October 4, 1919, and went on to become a powerful voice for social and political change in Odisha.
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