Date: 30.05.2017

To
Hon'ble Shri Naveen Patnaik,

The Chief Minister of Odisha,
Bhubaneswar.

(Through the Collector & District Magistrate, Cuttack)

Esteemed Sir,
He had given name to the River as Alasa Kanya. We want the Bridge over the river to be named after him. After a long time, Bhubaneswar is once again being connected with Cuttack over the river Kathajodi by a bridge from Trisulia to Bell View, Ring Road. When it is a matter of connecting people and bridging places, what can be more relevant than Music & Literature and the embodiment thereof?

The one and only Akshay Mohanty, the legendary Singer, Lyricist, Music Composer of varied genres and a writer par excellence. The flamboyant Odia/Katakia, the Son-of-the Soil, the condensed Odisha, the native Bohemian, the high-necked maverick, the only trendsetter so far having not fallen prey to the copyists & the ultimate pride of all the Odias. Many things have been named after Politicians and Statesmen. But, what have we done to our Artists and the men of letters viz. our writers, poets, playwrights, scientists & the like?

Have we given them justice so far by offering due recognitions to their invaluable contributions to our distinct cultural identity? Have we done anything to cherish their memories, which would inspire their people to uphold their dignity and self-esteem? Or do we really accept that only the political people have got contributions to the society and others cannot match their magnanimities? Or recognising only the political people by naming state properties after their names is merely impositions made by the Governments, which is hardly objected by the callous and indifferent citizenry?

In the context of the issue at hand, we reiterate as to what should be more relevant than naming the Bridge after Akshay Mohanty and two upcoming squares one at Trisulia and the other one at Bell View after the celebrated writer Surendra Mohanty and illustrious poet Sacchi Routray? After all, Katak is proudly identified as the trio's Karma Bhumi as Yasnaya Polyana to Tolstoy. We cherish and Katak will continue to cherish their footprints till the end of the time.

Thus we lodge our demand before the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha, our beloved Shri Naveen Patnaik through the Collector and District Magistrate, Cuttack to dedicate the Bridge after the name of Akshaya Mohanty, Trisulia Square after Sachhi Routray and the Bell View Square after Surendra Mohanty and install three Giant Statues accordingly in fond memories and recognitions of all these three immortal legendary talents of Odisha.

In support of our instant petition, we hereby enclose photo copy of a news item published in Odia Daily Prameya, dtd.07.06.2017, which is a part of our campaign evidencing public urge, emotions and the ultimate euphoria.

We sign this petition from across the globe to reach the administration at the earliest requesting thereby to consider our demand in the right earnest without bias and prejudice, but fairly and diligently. Let the government of Odisha vindicate that here is an onerous government, truly participatory and responsive in nature inasmuch as emblematic of vibrant democracy.

We hope and trust that our Honorable Chief Minister will treat this petition as de facto referendum on this issue.

Vande Utkal Janani.

With Humble regards,

Subha Bikash Panda, Advocate,

(High Court of Odisha, Cuttack.

Mob.+91-9437033534; Email: [email protected])

& Others............(Signatories below)

Copy to: 1. The Collector & District Magistrate, Cuttack; 2. Editor, The Samaja, Premier Odia Daily, Gopabandhu Square, Buxi Bazar, Cuttack-01, for information and necessary action.

Enclosed: As aforesaid.

N.B.: Advance copy sent to the Hon'ble the Chief Minister of Odisha.