Odisha: Dharmendra Pradhan visits birthplace of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai in Sambalpur
Oct 23, 2023
Sambalpur (Odisha) [India], October 23 : Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday visited the birthplace of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai in Sambalpur and took part in the 'Meri Maati Mera Desh' campaign.
Pradhan informed that soil from his birthplace will be taken to Delhi and given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi as a part of the campaign.
Speaking to ANI, Dharmendra Pradhan said, "We are in the last phase of the 'Meri Maati, Mera Desh' campaign. We are fortunate that we came today to the birthplace of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai. Soil from here will be taken to Delhi and given to the Prime Minister. This will be established at Kartavya Path. The soil from different birthplaces of great people of the country will be taken to Delhi."
Veer Surendra Sai was born on January 23, 1809, in the village Khinda about 30 km to the north of Sambalpur, as the eldest son of Dharam Singh and Rebati Devi. He was the direct descendant of Raja Madhukar Sai, the fourth descendant of the Chauhan dynasty in Sambalpur.
As a tribute to pay respect to freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the country, "Meri Maati Mera Desh", a nationwide campaign was launched on August 9, 2023.
This campaign is the concluding event of the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,' which began on March 12, 2021, and has witnessed widespread public participation (Jan Bhagidari) with over 2 lakh programs organized across India.