BHUBANESWAR: On the eve of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the state is preparing to celebrate the day with pomp and gaiety along with the nation. Several programmes are queued at the capital to offer tributes to the Father of the Nation.
On the occasion, Orissa Post interacted with philatelists and researchers to delve deeper into the value of Gandhian principles in contemporary times. Keonjhar-based philatelist Sujit Pattnaik said, “I am both honoured and fortunate to possess a wide collection of newspapers published in various languages before and after independence.”
“I also have around 500 special newspaper articles edited by Gandhiji to inspire freedom fighters also with me. I have also organised a photo exhibition and newspaper exhibition on this centenary,” he added.
Odisha’s largest collection on Gandhiji is, however, available with Ashok Sahu, who has more than 20,000 newspapers and postal stamps spanning across timeline. Having postage stamps on Gandhiji, coins, original photos and recordings of his speech in his kitty, Sahu has already visited various states for programmes on ‘Swachhta’ and ‘Ahimsa.’
“Gandhiji learned Odia when he visited Bari in Jajpur. Gopabandhu Choudhury left his deputy collector job and created Choudhury Gopabandhu Ramadevi Ashram at Bari. Many activities related to the freedom struggle took place here. He also visited Cuttack Baliyatra March 23, 1921, accompanied by Kasturba Gandhi,” Sahu said.
Sahu will soon construct a museum at Bari for his collection. The state government has already earmarked a place for the same.
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The state government has approved plans for a museum which would preserve philatelist Ashok Sahu’s collection of 20,000 newspaper articles, postal stamps, coins and original recordings on Mahatma Gandhi
