2022-07-07 Thu

Hare Krushna Mahtab, popularly known as 'Utkal Keshari', was a leader of the Indian National Congress. He served as the chief minister of Odisha between 1946 and 1950 and again between 1956 and 1961.

Hare Krushna Mahtab was born on 21st November 1899 to Charan Das and Tohapha Debi in an aristocratic Khandayat family. He passed his matriculation examination at Bhadrak High School. After school, he joined Ravenshaw College, Cuttack but left his studies in 1921 to join the independence movement. He served as Chairman of the Balasore District Board between 1924 and 1928.

In 1924, he became a member of the Bihar and Odisha Council. He also contributed to Salt Satyagraha, a movement in 1924. He participated in the movement against untouchability, in 1934 and opened his ancestral temple to all for the first time in Odisha. He also participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942 and was imprisoned from 1942 to 1945.

The Government of India issued his commemorative stamp in 1989 to commemorate him and his work.

Image Courtesy: colnect.com