Bhubaneswar, 24 February (H.S.): Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat requesting the organisation of a grand national-level commemorative programme in New Delhi on the birth centenary of India’s youngest martyr Baji Rout.

In his letter, Pradhan proposed a series of initiatives aimed at inspiring patriotism among the youth while recalling the courage and sacrifice of Baji Rout.

He noted that born on October 5, 1926, at Nilakanthapur, Baji Rout attained martyrdom at the age of 12 after refusing to ferry British troops across a river. His sacrifice on October 11, 1938, at Nilakanthapur ghat gave a new direction to the Garjat movement and strengthened India’s freedom struggle. Pradhan said Baji Rout was not merely a regional hero of Odisha but a national icon symbolising youthful patriotism.

The birth centenary celebrations, which began on October 5, 2025, will continue till October 5, 2026. The Odisha government has also announced state-level commemorations in association with the Shaheed Baji Rout Memorial Foundation.

To make the historic occasion memorable, Pradhan proposed a “National Students and Youth Conference” titled “The Immortal Saga of Shaheed Baji Rout: Inspiring Youth Power for Nation-Building.”

He further suggested organising seminars, interactions, exhibitions, debates, essay competitions, cultural programmes and contests on lesser-known freedom fighters at school, college and university levels.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda