TNI Bureau: Odisha is paying a tribute to martyr Laxman Nayak, another great son of the state, on his 113th birth anniversary today. His contribution to civil society during freedom struggle could not be ignored. He was the active member in south Odisha and quite popular among his tribal community.
Nayak is another key person in the list of patriots, who sacrificed his life for motherland. His passion for making India independent was intense and the leadership quality was in his blood as his father Padlam Nayak was a tribal chief and ‘Mustadaar’ under ‘Jeypore Samasthanam’ in the then Madras Presidency.
Today’s youth might have forgotten his contribution and even his name in the era, which is dominated by western culture, but he could not be removed from history.
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Born on November 22, 1899, in Tentuliguma village of the Koraput district, he was the hero of southern Odisha. He was known as a rebel for the British government. He had raised his voice against the British rule for the rights of the tribal people as they were treated very badly by the government officials and police. Even they were tortured if they were not able to pay tax in time.
Nayak had united all the young people against British exploitation. He was known as a leader of tribal community and later he was the active member of National Congress. Being influenced by MK Gandhi, he carried a Charkha, giving message to the tribals to stay away from alcohol. He had tried his best to bring about a complete change in rural area.
He was the leader of Congress in Malkangiri Sub-division during the first ever election in 1936. After a call of MK GAndhi, he had led a procession on August 21, 1942, demonstarting against British in front of Mathili Police Station. However, the brutal police officers fired at the protesters killing 40 and hundreds were injured. Nayak was tried and the British court pronounced death sentence for the brave leader on November 13, 1942. He was hanged till death on March 29, 1943, in Berhampur Jail.
A very rare person like Nayak used to come to earth to set an example when everything goes wrong and in negative way. Today, we “The News Insight” pays a homage to the great freedom fighter Laxman Nayak.