By Bizodisha Bureau, Berhampur, January 27, 2021: Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker, Surya Narayan Patra on Tuesday unveiled the book “NIJA KATHA” authored by veteran public figure and former Deputy Speaker, Rama Chandra Panda here at a glittering ceremony. Recalling the students’ movements in 1964-73 that led to establishment of Berhampur University, Patra hailed Panda’s holistic perspective which is reflected in the book.

NIJA KATHA” unfolds many factual disclosures of Panda’s public life since his student days starting from 1965. Panda is credited to have launched first ever environmental and farmer movement between 1967 to 1979 leading to arrest of 400 youths including him in 1971 and he appeared part of his PG examination in Berhampur jail.

Panda recounts his uncompromising attitude leading him to resign twice from the office of deputy speaker which he described as accountability to duty. The book also reveals about his personal interactions with Biju Patnaik, Moraji Desai, Sri Chandra Sekhar, George Fernandes, Dr. Radhanath Rath, the then Editor, Samaj at different stages of his political, social and journalistic life.

In fact, the environmental movement of farmers in Ganjam town is billed as the first political struggle against river and air pollution. The issue cropped up in the parliament following which a petition committee of Rajya Sabha under chairmanship of late former MP Brahmananda Panda, visited Ganjam in 1976 and submitted their report on 8th December, 1977 making various suggestions to contain air and water pollution.

Interestingly, the movement gave birth to Rushikulya-Mahanadi river link movement between 1986 to 2014 in mid of which on March, 2000 a ‘JALA JATRA’ from from Bansadhara river to Daya river carrying water of Bansadhara and Rushikulya for symbolic merger in river Mahanadi.

Niranjan Rath, Editor of “Satyabadi” and publisher of “THE SAMAJA” in his address recalled two decade long journalistic activities of Sri Panda as correspond of SAMAJA and said that the book reveals certain hard facts of public life.

Veteran Journalist Nageshwar Patnaik who eventually had courted arrest in 1970 movement as a school student but released by police because of his minority moderated the seminar on ‘Covid-19 and Environment’ to mark the Golden Jubilee of the 1970 farmers’ movement in Ganjam town against air and water pollution. Patnaik described the movement as a beginning to protect the environment creating public awareness.

Amar Satapathy, former agriculture minister recalled that Sri Panda as chairman of OLIC had made the organization accountable to farmers by conducting sustained field tours. While Dr. Ramesh Chandra Chayu Patnaik, former MLA and Chairman, Building and other construction workers welfare Board recalled Biju Babu’s contribution in building leadership. Sri Bhagaban Sahu, Veteran Advocate, Former President, Ganjam bar Association said it is time to recognize Ganjam movement as first struggle by people against air and water pollution by farmers.

Sisir Bhatta Mishra, Editor, Nandighosh TV said that there must be a balance between industrialization and environment in the interest of humanity. Sri Prahalad Singh, Advocate and freelance journalist said that the Gandhian philosophy would be eternally relevant to mould the society to protect the environment and social progress. Tirupati Panigrahi, founder of HITECH Medical College said in view of deterioration of environment medical care is in the centre stage which his organization is highlighting.

Rama Chandra Panda welcomed the guests. Veteran writer Hayagrib Tripathi described nature as divine. Prof K C Panda introduced the guests. Sri Sanat Panda of Sampark mass media offered vote Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker, Surya Narayan Patra on Tuesday unveiled the book “NIJA KATHA” authored by veteran public figure and former Deputy Speaker, Rama Chandra Panda here at a glittering ceremony. Recalling the students’ movements in 1964-73 that led to establishment of Berhampur University, Patra hailed Panda’s holistic perspective which is reflected in the book.
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