Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab
Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab was born on 21st November in 1899 at Agarpada in Balasore district. His father was Krushna Charan Das. He became the adopted child of Jagannath Mahatab.
He completed his High School education from Bhadrak, studied in Ravenshaw College. In 1921, he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s freedom struggle and joined in it.
Dr. Mahatab was an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1921, 1927, 1930 and in 1942 he went to jail. By that time he had established himself as a statesman, a national hero, a potential freedom fighter and had earned the
friendship and trust of Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel, Acharya Kripalini. In 1924, Dr. Mahatab was elected as the chairman of Balasore Zilla Parishad.
Because of his able leadership, the National Congress spread its branches in Odisha and the British government became weak. Because of his endeavour the Harijans of Odisha entered the temple and got social rights.
In 1937, Mahatab was elected as the president of Odisha Congress. In 1946, he became the Prime Minister, later Chief Minister of Odisha from 1950 to 1952, he was the minister of Industry, Commerce and Supply at the centre.
From 1952 to 1954, he was the Secretary of the Indian National Congress. From 1955 to 56, he was the governor of Bombay. From 1956 to 1961, he was the Chief Minister of Odisha. In 1962 he was elected to the parliament. In 1967, he left Congress and formed a new party – Jana Congress.
From 1971 to 1974, he was also elected as an MLA to Odisha Assembly. During the emergency, he went to jail for 18 months. Dr. Mahatab was a good writer. He was written many beautiful essays, stories, novels out of which Touter, Prativa, Abyapar are famous.
His “Gaan Mazlis” got Central Sahitya Academy award. He published Jhankar, a monthly, The Prajatantra, a daily, The Minabazar, and many journals, magazines, he got doctorate from Utkal University.
He himself was an institution the founder of Modern Odisha. People lovingly called him the Utkalkeshari. This great genius passed away on 2nd January 1987. “Utkal Kesari – Mahatab The nation salutes to you.”