Basudevpur: Padhuan village under Basudevpur bock in Bhadrak district has an outstanding contribution to the freedom struggle as many from this village had laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. But what is appalling is that many descendants of the martyrs are living in hardships and deprivation. One of them is surviving on alms.
Twenty-eight freedom fighters, including 17 from Padhuan village fell to British bullets while protesting September 28, 1942. Besides, 56 freedom fighters were critically wounded while 31 from Padhuan were injured.
Ironically, the descendants of most of the martyrs have been living in a miserable condition while the state and Central governments have not taken any steps for socio-economic development of these families.
The freedom fighters of Padhuan who laid their lives for emancipation of the country included Gopal Charan Das, Dhrubacharan Dey, Biswanath Das, Bijuli Das, Basudev Sahu, Ballabh Behera, Hrushi Behera, Hari Behera, Magha Mahalik, Mani Behera, Krusna Swain, Kala Majhi, Bhua Majhi, Madan Palei, Radhu Mahallik, Kruspasindhu Behera and Ram Majhi. After bifurcation of Padhuan panchayat, families of 10 freedom fighters are in the village.
These families are struggling hard to make their both ends met. They lamented that no initiative had been taken by the government to improve their living condition even though 73 years have passed since Independence.
Take the case of freedom fighter Magha Mahalik, who was bullet-ridden and died in Koraput jail at the age of 22. His descendants are living in penury. Magha’s brother Sridhar Mahalik has been eking out a living by begging even at the age of 82. Braving his physical infirmities and diseases, Sridhar has been begging to feed his family members. “If I don’t go begging for a day, the family will have to starve that day,” he said with tears rolling down his cheeks.
He stated that since he owns no land, he was compelled to beg. He is broke and cannot afford medical expenses for one of his grandsons who has been afflicted by epilepsy, he said.
Another freedom fighter was Bhua Majhi. His only daughter Sulochana has been left high and dry as she is unable to see. Due to financial constraints, she is unable to treat her failing eyes. PNN
