Orissa to celebrate 150th anniversary of First War of Independence

Bhubaneswar, Oct 16 (UNI) The Orissa Assembly is all set commemorate of the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence in the Sardar Patel Hall (Old Assembly Building) and Jaydev Bhawan here tomorrow.

Orissa Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare is scheduled to inaugurate the function.

Elaborate security arrangements has been made for the smooth celebration of the history event and the old assembly building has been renovated and decorated for this purpose.

The Sardar Patel Bhawan assumed significance as it held the first session of the state assembly under the Constitution of India on March 4, 1952.

Great leaders like Nabakrushna Choudhury, Dr Harekrushna Mahatab and Mr Biju Patnaik were sworn in as Chief Ministers while assembly session had been conducted here.

Raja Sailendra Narayan Bhanja Deo, a member of the then house administered the oath to 140 members. Naba Kruhsna Choudhury became the first Chief Minister on February 20, 1952.

The first session after the general elections in 1957 was summoned on May 27, 1957, in the Sardar Patel Bhawan. Mr Nanda Kishore Das, the then speaker of the assembly administered the oath to the members. Dr Harekrushna Mahatab as the leader of single largest party in the legislature was appointed as the Chief Minister.

The assembly was shifted from the Sardar Patel Bhawan to its present building in 1961.The new building was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 25,00,000 with a plinth area of 47,000 sq ft and was inaugurated by the then Vice President Dr S Radhakrshna on February 12,1961.

The first session of the third assembly was held in the new building on August 21,1961 and as the leader of the majority party, Mr Biju Patnaik became the Chief Minister and formed the ministry on June 23 1961.

As per the schedule after the inauguration of the function, the Oriya version of the documentary film on first War of Independence prepared by Lok Sabha TV Channel will be screened in the old assembly hall.

The Orissa Governor,the Chief Minister,the leader of the Opposition and the Speaker would address the special session of the house. The Governor will release a book on the First war of independence.

In the afternoon, Speaker Maheswar Mohanty is scheduled to inaugurate a photo exhibition and Minister for Industries and Rural Development BiswabHushan Harichandan will inaugurate a drama on freedom struggle at the Jayadev Bhawan located close to the Sardar Patel Bhawan.

UNI