Union ministers pay tribute to freedom fighters of Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18: As part of the BJP's "70 Saal Azadi - Zara Yaad Karo Kurbani" programme, two Union ministers today paid tributes to two prominent freedom fighters of Odisha in separate districts.

While Tribal Affairs Jual Oram paid tribute to Veer Surendra Sai at Khinda in Sambalpur district, Consumer Affairs Minister Chhotu Ram Chaudhary visited the birthplace of martyr Baji Rout in Dhenkanal district.

Rout had been the teenage boatman who laid down his life for the cause of India's independence. Union Telecommunications Minister Manoj Sinha will visit the native place of Chandan Hajuri, popularly known as Chakhi Khuntia, at Puri on August 20.

Addressing a gathering, Oram said that efforts would be made to install a statue of Veer Surendra Sai in the premises of Parliament. Oram said the new generation is not aware about the history of Independence and patriotism is on the wane among the new generation.

The objective of the programme is to make the new generation aware about the heroes of freedom struggle and their sacrifice, Oram said. He also appealed the district functionaries of BJP to organise such programmes at town and block level. He said steps would be taken for development of birth place of Veer Surendra Sai.

PTI