Bhubaneswar: The memorial of Pandit Raghunath Murmu, the inventor of Ol Chiki script, will be developed at a cost of Rs 10 crore at Dandabosh in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday approved the plan submitted by Mayurbhanj district administration for the development of the memorial and sanctioned Rs 10 crore.
Pandit Murmu has strengthened the Santali culture by inventing the Ol Chiki script which got recognition as a science-based script.
He has created much literature in Santali language using the Ol Chiki script.
On the direction of the Chief Minister, 5T Secretary VK Pandian had visited the memorial of Pandit Murmu at Dandabosh and his residence in Baripada during his visit to Mayurbhanj district March 2 and 3.
After interacting with the Santali people of the area, Pandian had directed the district administration to prepare a detailed project report for the development of the memorial of Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
As per the plan, Rs 75 lakh would be spent for the development of the memorial of Pandit Murmu at Dandabosh and another Rs 75 lakh would be spent for the establishment of a meditation centre there.
The development of walls of Kapiburu and connecting road will be taken up at a cost of Rs 3 crore while a sum of Rs two crore will be spent for the construction of an auditorium and research centre.
Chief Minister’s office sources said a sum of Rs one crore will be spent for the construction of a dormitory for the convenience of tourists, Rs 70 lakh for the beautification of Kapibur and construction of a welcome gate.
A sum of Rs one crore will be spent for the development of Dandabosh, Biju Chandan Bahaghara and Marang-Ahara pond. In addition to it, Rs 80 lakh would be spent on drinking water and electrification.
The work will be executed by the Public Works Department under the 5T programme. The Chief Minister has directed the administration to complete the work at the earliest.
The state government has named the Baripada Medical College after Pandit Murmu in his memory and declared his anniversary Buddha Purnima as a holiday as a mark of respect for his contribution to the Santali society.
UNI
