HRUSIKESH SAHOO, FREEDOM FIGHTER

AT- LAXMI BAZAR, DHENKANAL

Hrusikesh Sahoo was born on 12.06.1912 in the village Mahulpada of Bhuban Thana. He was influenced by the Freedom Movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Malati Choudhury. In the year 1936 he joined public works department of Orissa Government as Store keeper and then worked as Cashier. In the year 1938 he associated himself in Prajamandal Andolana. At the time of Prajamandal Meeting at Hatatota, he took the responsibility of collecting foods for members of Prajamandal. There was police report against him for active participation in the Prajamandal movement. In the year 1942 at the time of Quite India Movement he was suspended from his job by Dhenkanal Government.

SRI GATI KRUSHNA BHANJA, FREEDOM FIGHTER

AT:- MEENA BAZAR, DHENKANAL

Sri Gati Krushna Bhanja was born on 01.07.1916 in Dhenkanal Town. His Educational qualification is B.A..B.Ed.. He started his public service as a Teacher in Vingarpur High School in the year 1939. He left the teacher ship in the year 1946 and joined in Prajamandal Andolana with his wife. He was the first District Public Relations Officer in Dhenkanal District. In the year 1950 he again started Teacher ship joining Koruan High School and retired from government service in the year1971. In his Youth period he revolted against dictatorship of Dhenkanal King for torturing  the people. He raised his voice  openly for which he was driven out from the School. In the year 1938 he was associated with Gadajat enquiry Committee and visited Gadajat villages for one month to collect the stories from the people.

SMT. BANABASINI BHANJA, FREEDOM FIGHTER

AT:- MEENA BAZAR, DHENKANAL TOWN.

As the wife of freedom fighter Sri Gati Krushna Bhanja , Smt. Banabasini Bhanja was associated herself with the  Prajamandal activities and joined the Prajamandal Andolana in the year 1945. At that time her presence  influenced the Women of Dhenkanal. Her works were appreciated by the Great Freedom Fighter of Dhenkanal like: Mahesh Chandra Subahusingha and Musa Mallik. She was rewarded by Ex-Governor of Orissa Late Janab Asaf Ali for her distinguished activities in the Freedom movement. After independence she was engaged herself for the betterment of the women. She has been working for many organizations like : District  Consumer Forum, District Legal Services Authority, Orissa Samaj Mangal Board, District Congress Committee. She was also the Vice-Chairman of Dhenkanal Municipality.

NETRANANDA NAYAK, FREEDOM FIGHTER

VILL:- DAMAL, THANA:-PARJANG, DHENKANAL   Netrananda Nayak was born in the year 1913 in the village Damala of Parjang Block. He was inspired by Sarangadhar Das, the Founder of Orissa Gadajat Praja Samillani in the year 1935. In the year 1938 he got the letter from Mahesh Chandra Subahusingh of parjang and joined the first meeting of Prajamandal . He attended the prajamandal meetings held at Anugul and Jenapur and took up various works to strengthen Prajamandal. He took all the responsibilities of Prajamandal Camp held at Budhapanka, where he associated himself with the Great Freedom Fighters of Orissa, Nabakrushna Choudhury and Malati Choudhury. At the time of non-co-operation movement against British Rule on 09.09.1942, he was imprisoned under Bharat Rakhya Ain for one day and again for Twenty two days. From 02.11.1942 to 02.10.1943 he was again imprisoned nearly one year. He had written many articles in the Newspapers on Freedom movement. After Independence he was conferred various Shamans by both government and non-government organisations for his Excellent works in the Freedom Movement.

BAJI ROUT, FREEDOM FIGHTER

NILAKANTHAPUR, BHUBAN

                   In the midnight of 10th October 1938 ,the Police Forces attacked the village Bhuban and arrested some persons without any reason. They took them to the Bhuban Police Station. The Conch of the Prajamandal was sounded by the village leaders. The people woke up and Gheraoed Bhuban police Station with a loud noise to release the arrested persons and leaders of Bhuban. The Police Fauza did not listen the demand of the agitators and fired at them. Raghu Naik and Quri Naik were shot dead by Police force and many persons were injured. The police force   thought that their lives were not safe. So they wanted to come Dhenkanal through Nilakantapur Ghat. That was the shortest way to Dhenkanal. At the end of the night on 11th October 1938 while it was raining , they reached at Nilakanthapur Ghat. Baji Rout a young boy of 12 years was in charge of country Boat in the Nilakanthpur Ghat of Brahmani river. The Force ordered him to cross the river by his Boat which  he denied  fearlessly .  The police force became revengeful and fired  Baji Rout along with    Laxman Mallik , Fagu Sahoo . The Young boy was the real patriot of the country who had much more love for the country and he died for the country. He is the youngest Freedom Fighter of the Country.

MUSHA MALLIK, FREEDOM FIGHTER

VILL:-BALIGORADA, KAMAKHYANAGAR, DHENKANAL  
Freedom Fighter Musha Mallik was born in the year 1904 in the village Baligorada of Madhi ( Kamakhyanagar Sub-Division). His father was Sankhali Mallik. Musha Mallik got his primary Education in his village Primary School. In the year 1934, he joined in the police department and worked as a Jail warder. During that period there was agitation against the King by the members of Prajamandal. Within a few days he resigned from his job and joined in Prajamandal Andolana. He was closely associated with Baishnab Patanaik, Mahesh Chandra Subahusingh, Pabitra Mohan Pradhan and Narottam Das, the prominent leaders of Prajamandal Andolana. He organized Biplabi Mancha with some Freedom Fighters and revolted against the King and Britishers. During the Quite India Movement in the year 1942, a Gorilla Bahini was organized by Baishnab Pattnaik, in which Musha Mallik took the Key role. The aim of the Gorilla Bahini was to burn “Thana”, “Kachari” and other offices. He along with other 19 Gorillas set fired Madhi Thana, Tahasil Office, Kacheri and Forest Office etc. Then they set fired the Khamara of the King, destroyed Malapura Khamara and distributed the paddies among the poor people. Then they wanted  to capture parajang Thana and there was a fight between the police Forces and Gorilla Freedom Fighters. Musha Mallik was injured by the Police Force and hid himself in the Jungle. Then he was arrested by the Police and got the life imprisonment. On 03.09.1946 Musha Mallik and other 48 person were released. After Independence he was associated with Social and Developmental Works. Matha Karogola P.H.C. and many Primary and M.E. Schools have been established by him. On 19th May 1961 he died in his village.

Kakolat (Nawada) waterfalls

Kakolat (Nawada): It is a waterfall in Gobindpur police-station, about 21 miles away from Nawada. After going 9¼ miles from Nawada on Ranchi Road, a pucca road known as Gobindpur—Akbarpore Road diverts from there. Just below the fall, there is a deep reservoir natural in character. The fall is about 150 to 160 feet, from the ground level. The scene is panoramic due to all-round green forest area, which is very pleasant to the eyes.

A legend is prevalent that in Treta Yuga a king named was cursed by a rishi and had to take the shape of a python and lived here. The place was visited by the great Pandavas during their exile and the accursed king got salvation from the damnation. The king after getting rid of the curse proclaimed that one who would bathe in the waterfall will not take the yoni of snake and that is why a large number of people from far and near bathe in the river. A big fair is held on the occasion of bishua or Chait Shankranti.

Bhimbandh (Munger) wildlife Sanctuary

It is situated at a distance of 56 km from Munger, 20 km from Jamui Railway Station and 200 km from Patna Airport. Bhimbandh Wild Life Sanctuary is located in the south west of Munger District. The forests cover an area or 681.99 sq.km on the hills and undulating tract of Kharagpur Hills.

This forest are located in the famous Kharagpur hill range, south of river Ganga and is surrounded on all sides by non-forestry areas inhabited by dense population. The vegetation of these forests is very rich where Sal, Kend, Semal and other trees grow side by side the hilly terrain, protecting from the suns rays the forms and humble creepers which grow below. 
A host of animals such as Tiger, Leopards, Sloth Bear, Nilgai, Sambhar, Barking deer, Wild Beer, four horned Antelope use to abide by in these forests. In the valley portions and at the foothills are several hot springs of which the finest are at Bhimbandh, Sita Kund and Rishi Kund. All the hot springs maintain nearly same temperature round the year, and seasonal fluctuation of discharge is also nominal. Among them the Bhimbandh group of springs have the maximum temperature (52° C to 65° C) and discharge (0.84-1.12 cum/sec) and constitute the best area for the exploration of geothermal energy potential.

                 All the thermal springs of sanctuary have a common geological frame. The spouts issue from the contact of massive guartzites (jointed and crushed) with states and phyllites (Kharagpur Group). All the springs are situated at topographic lows within the guartziter. The aqueducts formed due to fracturing are long and narrow zones of fissures and broken rocks. 
There are number of places of tourist interest nearby the Sanctuary like, Rishikund, Ha-Ha Punch Kumari, Rameshwar Kund, Kharagpur Lake, Sringrishi etc. There are Tourist lodge and Forest Rest House that offer accommodation facilities to tourists in the mid of the forest.

A place in Bihar with relation to Mahatma Gandhi

Motihari (East Champaran): Motihari was to the first laboratory of Gandhian experiment in Satyagraha and probably it will not be very incorrect to say that is has been the spring board for India’s independence. Champaran district generated a wave of enthusiasm and inspiration to the people who were thirsting for a selfless and saintly leader. The technique followed by Gandhiji in Champaran was what attained later on the name of Satyagraha.

Hazarimal Dharamshala, Betia (West Champaran): It is at Betiah in the Lal Bazar area. Gandhi and his companions used to camp here and it was the epicenter of his “Satyagraha”. The State Govt. has declared this building a protected monument. The Betia Raj Kuteherry and the Dharmashala were Mahatama Gandhi stayed are well worth visit.

Bhitharwa Ashram (West Champaran): It is a village in the Bettiah Sub-division under Gaunaha Block. This was one of the centre for social work selected by Gandhiji, when he was in Champaran in 1917.
                At present there is a Khadi Centre working under direct control of the Bihar Khadi Samiti. There is a Gandhi Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi had stayed during the Indian freedom straggle.

Brindaba (West Champaran): It is a small village in the Betia sub-division under Champatia Block. It has the Gram Seva Kendra, which had been planned to work out the deals of the Gandhi Seva Sangh. The all India Gandhi Seva Sangh held there annual conference at this village in 1937. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Rajendra Prasad attended it. Gandhiji stayed here in 1939 and started an Ashram, which is still functioning.

Shri Rampur (West Champaran): Situated in the Gannaha Block of Bhitiharwa Panchayat. Gandhiji had stayed here on 16th November, 1917.

Koeldih (West Champaran): Under Gaunaha Block in the Belwa Panchayat. Gandhiji had visited this place on 16th November, 1917.

Amolwa (West Champaran): Under Gaunaha Block in the Majharia Panchayat, where Gandhiji spent a night on the 27th April, 1917 with his other companions.

Murli Bharhawa (West Champaran): It was the native place of Pandit Raj Kumar Shukla who had been a close associates of Mahatma Gandhi during the Champaran Satyagrah Movement. Pandit Shukla took a lead role in bringing Mahatma Gandhi to Champaran.

Sariswa (West Champaran): This place is in Ratanmala Panchayat under Majhaulia Block-Gandhiji and his companions had taken statement of raiyats in a open yard in front of the temple.

Hardiya Kothi (West Champaran): It is under Bishunpur Panchyat of the Nautan Block. It was house of Mr. G. P. Edward, a British Indigo Planter. Remains of this building are in some what better condition in comparison to other such old buildings.

Sadaquat Ashram (Patna): It is situated in Digha area on Patna Danapur Road and in pre independence days guided the freedom movement in Bihar. It is Associated with the memories of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Mautana Mazharal Haque and other leaders.

Gandhi Sangrahalay (Patna Museum): Close to the Western end of Gandhi Maidan in Patna. The Gandhi Sangrahalaya houses a large number of items and artifacts related with Mahatma Gandhi and his satyagrah movement in Bihar. It also has a vast collection of Gandhian literature and photographs depicting his life and works. A “Charkha” (Country made spinning wheel) used by Mahatma Gandhi is also well preserved in this museum.