The
Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that we should reshape
our country to ensure all citizens have essential freedoms enshrined in our
constitution. He was addressing the 211th Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Jayee
Rajguru, organized by Odisha Forum, here today. The Union Minister for
Petroleum & Natural gas and Skill Development & entrepreneurship, Shri
Dharmendra Pradhan and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The
Vice President said that Jayee Rajguru made the supreme sacrifice of his life
on this day for the independence of this country, sparking a massive “Paika
Vidroh” or war against the British in Odisha and other parts of the country. He
further said that Jaya Krushna Mahapatra was the Rajguru of King of Khurda as
was popularly known as Jayee Rajguru. The first war of independence had also
raised its head in the Khurda kingdom in Odisha and the hero of this earliest
war of Indian independence was Jayee Rajguru, he added.
The
Vice President said that the story of Jayee Rajguru is awe inspiring and
demonstrates the heroic patriotism of many of our ancestors who sacrificed
their lives for our motherland. He further said that the Khurda Rising of 1804
which Shaheed Rajguru led from the front was truly a people’s war. The battle
skill, valour and sacrifices of Jayee Rajguru and his followers are still
remembered by the people even after 200 years, he added.
The
Vice President said that Jayee Rajguru was the first martyr from Orissa in the
freedom struggle and also one of the earliest martyrs in our Freedom Movement.
He further said that he was not only a brave warrior but a Great Sanskrit
Scholar of his time and was an astute Rajguru. We are proud that such noble
individuals have lived in our country and left behind a glorious saga of
sacrifice and as a nation we shall be ever grateful to such heroes, he added.
Following
is the text of Vice President’s address:
“We
are here today to commemorate the 211th martyrdom Day of Shaheed Jayee Rajguru.
Jayee Rajguru made the supreme sacrifice of his life on this day for the
independence of this country, sparking a massive “Paika Vidroh” or war against
the British in Odisha and other parts of the country. On this occasion, I join
you all in paying my humble tributes to the Shaheed for his sacrifice to the
cause of the freedom of our country. I also compliment the Shaheed Jayee
Rajguru Foundation for organising the function to pay our homage to this
outstanding national leader.
Jaya Krushna Mahapatra was the Rajguru
of King of Khurda. He was popularly known as Jayee Rajguru. It is pertinent to
mention that the Khurda kingdom comprising the coastal districts of Odisha was
the last bastion of independent India which fell to the British only in the
year 1803. By then the rest of India had already come under the British rule.
Incidentally, the first war of independence had also raised its head in the
Khurda kingdom in Odisha. This is popularly known as the Khurda Rising of 1804.
It was truly a landmark people’s war in many sense. The hero of this earliest
war of Indian independence was Jayee Rajguru.
The story of Jayee Rajguru is awe inspiring and
demonstrates the heroic patriotism of many of our ancestors who sacrificed
their lives for our motherland.
The Khurda Rising of 1804 which Shaheed Rajguru led
from the front was truly a people’s war. The Rajguru prepared the army for it
and appealed to the people to come forward and be ready for sacrifice to save
their Motherland. Every household contributed a soldier, trained in different
war skills, and people grouping themselves under his leadership. These fighters
from the common masses, formed an army to fight the colonial rule were known as
Paikas. Jayee Rajguru attacked the British forces in 1804 on the banks of the
river Mahanadi. In a fiercely fought battle, a handful of Paika soldiers fought
valiantly against the 7000 strong British army. The battle skill, valour and
sacrifices of Jayee Rajguru and his followers are still remembered by the
people even after 200 years.
It is inspiring to remind ourselves of the great
heritage of freedom struggle. Brave and loyal sons and daughters of our country
have shown extraordinary commitment to the cause of freedom. They gave their
day for our today. Our glorious yesterdays illuminate and make our todays
brighter.
Rajguru was the epitome of dharma. He not only
counselled the king in fulfilling Raja Dharma but also carried out his own
dharma or duty to save the king even at the risk of losing his own life. Not
fearing his own capture, Jayee Rajguru moved the King to a safe place with his
trusted lieutenants, so that the symbol of sovereignty of his land could be
protected. Jayee Rajguru exhibited his abiding love and eternal loyalty of the
highest order.
He was the first martyr from Orissa in the freedom
struggle and also one of the earliest martyrs in our Freedom Movement.
Jayee Rajguru’s brilliant leadership, incisive
diplomacy and his contribution to the social, religious and political life of
his state makes for an inspiring chapter in the national history. Remembering
the act deed of such life will inspire patriotic values in the youth and
citizen’s of this country. We should ensure that such historical events should
be a part of our education system.
Jayee Rajguru was not only a brave warrior but a
Great Sanskrit Scholar of his time and was an astute Rajguru. We are proud that
such noble individuals have lived in our country and left behind a glorious
saga of sacrifice. As a nation we shall be ever grateful to such heroes.
With these words, I once again pay my humble
tributes to the memory of this brave son of India. Let us emulate the ideals
and values of Jayee Rajguru, which will be the true respect to the supreme
sacrifice made by him.
In fact, we should protect the freedom that has been
won with so much of sacrifice and, with the same patriotic fervour, reshape our
country to ensure all citizens of this great country have essential freedoms
enshrined in our constitution.
We should look at the illustrious past and the
current progress to mould a better future for our people. I see this as the
eloquent lesson taught to us by heroes like Rajguru and our freedom fighters
who are also ‘gurus’ in a way, because they teach us ‘values’ through their
‘actions’.
Lord Krishna had exhorted Arjuna to shed diffidence
and fight on. That’s the courage we need today. Courage of conviction. Courage
to face realities, however unpleasant. Courage to take action, however
difficult.
Jai Hind!”
***
KSD/BK
