Extensive research and studies on Paik Rebellion of Khurda occurred in 1817 to establish it as the first Indian national freedom struggle is the call of the day, said the scholars here.

During a day long debate and workshop organised in State Archives to mark the inauguration of 200 years of ‘Paik Bidroha’, Sri Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Tourism & Culture said that State Government will initiate all possible steps to make it recognised as a national historical event.

He said that more than 6 crores will be spent by State Tourism Department for infrastructural development of Barunei Hills, that stood mute witness of the rebellion.

Sri Manoranjan Panigrahy, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Culture Department emphasised on the significance of the revolution and called upon the scholars and intellectuals to deliberate meaningfully on the issue.

Among others Sri Rajendra K Sahoo, MLA, Khurda and Sri Ranjit K Mohanty, Director of the department also present. Dr. Bhagyalipi Malla, Superintendent of the Archives coordinated the inaugural programme followed by two separate panel discussions chaired over Prof. Dr Nibedita Mohanty and Prof. Dr Atul Pradhan respectively while scholars and historians presented their papers pertaining to the political and social importance of the revolt.

It has been declared that basing on the records available in the archive and the papers presented in the workshops, a volume on Paik Rebellion will be published in both Odia and English.