Soro: The birthplace of legendary litterateur Kabibar Radhanath Ray in this block of Balasore district presents a picture of utter neglect.
Born September 28, 1848 at Kedarpur village, Ray had made remarkable contributions to modern Oriya literature. He created a host of literary masterpieces, enriching Oriya language at a time when the language was struggling to establish its identity.
Over the years, his parental home has been gradually sinking into ruins for lack of maintenance and preservation. The residents of Kedarpur are also deprived of basic amenities allegedly due to the callous attitude of the administration, a report said.
Locals lamented that the government has not paid as much attention to the village of the literary giant as it deserves.
They have long been demanding a national memorial at Ray’s birthplace to perpetuate the memory of the poet, but nothing has been done in this direction, locals said.
The villagers claimed that the administration had several times assured them of taking up measures for development of the village, but they have not been translated into reality.
“Every year, Ray’s birthday is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. The programmes and functions organised to mark the occasion highlight his literary works, but the development of his parental home and native land are seldom brought up for discussion,” the villagers said.
Former MP Kharabela Swain had earlier provided Rs. 4.46 lakh from his MPLAD fund with which a memorial building was set up. However, due to lack of upkeep, the building now leaks when it rains.
During the stint of then collector Sanatan Mallick, the district administration had undertaken some repair work at a cost of `2 lakh. Fencing with fabrication work had been made around Ray’s statue, but at many places, it has been torn apart. Miscreants find easy access to the place at night.
No boundary wall has been raised around his parental home while no approach
road has been laid to his birthplace due to hurdle in land
acquisition.
Members of a memorial committee formed in the name of the poet stated that the district administration should take steps to lay a road to
the place. PNN
