Gandhi Peeth in Cuttack to have tourist park soon

Cuttack, Jan 30 (PTI) Orissa Chief minister NaveenPatnaik today laid the foundation stone for a park at theGandhi Smruti Pitha here as a mark of tribute to the Father ofthe Nation on his 63rd death anniversary.

During his fifth visit to the state in 1934, Gandhihad spent a night here during which he had toured many partsof the country for Harijan uplift and removal ofuntouchability.

A tourist Park here would come up at a cost of Rs 1.5crore, Patnaik said adding that the park would have a museumand an interpretative center.

Rich tributes were also paid to Gandhi on the day,observed as Martyrs'' Day, across the state with prayermeetings, garlanding his statues and floral tributes.

Incidentally, the Gandhi Peetha was in news duringGandhi Jayanti last October when Gandhians had protestedagainst the opening of a liquor shop in the vicinity.

The district administration had however, bowing tomassive public outcry, closed the shop.