Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669

Eminent Freedom Fighter Parbati Giri

Kunja Bihari Sahu

Independence is the birthright of every individual. fighters, Mahatma Gandhi once said that “Man Every human being craves for freedom-he/she can never be a woman’s equal in the spirit of may be a tribal living in a remote village encircled selfless service with which nature has endowed by mountains, streams, rivers and dense forest or her”. an intellectual from a metropolitan area. When freedom engulfed entire (Courtesy- Sunday Post). at the wake-up call of Women bravely faced the Mahatma Gandhi and baton of the police and even went Gopabandhu Das, many women behind bars.While reiterating the leaders spearheaded movements thrilling enactment of brave fighters in central and coastal Odisha. In th who fought and laid down their the beginning of 20 century, valuable lives in the larger interest Odisha saw the evolution of of people and MOTHER INDIA women leaders like Sarala Devi, to make India free from tyrant and Rama Devi, Malati Devi brutal British ruler, wholeheartedly Choudhuri, Janhabi Devi, Hironmayi Devi, Godabari Devi, we pay our salute to their eternal Radhamani Devi and Parbati Devi soul and shower handful solace for who not only created awareness their left out generations. Really we on women’s education, child marriage, the all are indebted to them. Endangering the lives to purdah system and widow marriage but also make India free, Odisha’s freedom fighters played focused on spreading the message of human a vital role. Even, the lady freedom fighters at their freedom, national unity and a republican form of young age dedicated their sober and lofty life governance. (courtesy- Sunday Post). following the footprint of noble men. They led from the front in the freedom struggle and their Thus, our noble State Odisha feels social contributions after independence in the honoured and proud for having given birth a sphere of national reconstruction is indeed number of notable lady freedom fighters and massive. In the context of brave women freedom nationalists in liberating India.

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Of the uprising lady freedom fighters and Senior Congress Leader requested her father to social activists in Odisha, Parbati Giri was an permit Parbati to work for them selflessly and exemplary. She had taken birth in Samalaipadar, benevolently. a small and insignificant village of Bijepur block in (erstwhile district) Malati Devi Choudhury, not only an on 19.01.1926. Her father’s name was Odishan but also an Indian civil rights and freedom Dhananjaya Giri and mother’s name was Shrimati. activists as well as noted Gandhian motivated Out of four children, Parbati Giri was 1st child. Parbati and Pravabati Devi (another child widow) She had studied up to Class-III. Her schooling and weared them Khadi on 18.11.1937. That day career was taken place in Lower Primary School gave much enthusiasm and keen attachment for at Samalaipadar. Though she had desire for higher sharing contribution of works towards loving study, she could not proceed ahead in the motherland. When Parbati was 12 years old, she academic career. During that time, freedom got the chance for organisational work for fighters Ram Puri, Bhagirathi Pattnaik and his wife Congress being allowed by her father and went Jambobati Pattanaik had been paying visit to to Bari Ashram stationed at Jajpur on foot Samalaipadar to propagate the revolutionary accompanied by Pravabati Devi, a child widow activities. Apart from them, Nabakrushna of Bargarh. The family members took much pain Choudhury, Malati Devi Choudhury, Ghanashyam to convince two young girls to remain aloof from Panigrahi, Laxmi Narayan Mishra, Fakira Behera, this hazardous task. But all out efforts was in vain. Prankrushna Padihari, Shib Naryana Padhi and Malati Devi gave responsibility to Bhagirathi and others put their steps at Panimora and Jambobati to leave Parbati and Pravabati at Bari Samalaipadar to patronize the freedom struggle. Ashram. The journey was so hardy and painful The young child Parbati set up her mind for due to lack of well communication system. That betterment and upliftment of people. Alike day was 14th January, 1938. On the way to Bari morning shows the day, her patriotic attitude had Ashram, they made halt at Arigaon in the home come to light. Her uncle Ramachandra Giri was of Reba Ray. Next day, they started their an associate of Laxmi Narayan Mishra, Durga adequate and purposeful journey to the Ashram Prasad Guru, Bhagirathi Pattanayak and his wife and reached in their destination. They met Jambobati Pattanayak. When these bonafide Gopabandhu Choudhury and Rama Devi there. freedom fighters rushed to Samalaipadar to have At that time, said Asharam was run by Rama Devi. a discussion on the aim and objective of the An unique freedom fighter Rama Devi once told revolution and detailed plan programme of Indian that the country is greater than an individual. She National Congress, Ramachandra Giri witnessed had feeling that social awakening is based on only the discussion. Their eloquent touchy speech one lady’s awareness. Their role is vital and focused and impressed on Parbati Giri. Though important in bringing back social independence. she was a young school going girl, deeply So she went on reading books and took part in influenced and interested to be follower of these spinning and cleaning of Harijan colony. After two freedom fighters instantly. So, she determined year’s stay at Bari Ashram, she took the herself to leave the home and began travelling from leadership of volunteers in Congress session held village to village campaigning for the Congress. at Sakhigopal and earned a good name.

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At those days the Ashrams were lawyers. Similarly, accompanied by three boys established for giving on high moral value and entered to the room of Magistrate and occupied teaching and named as “Sangrami Sibira” and the chair of Magistrate Sri Bivek Mukherjee “Ahimsa Tirtha”. The environment of these forcefully in his absence in a dramatic manner. Ashram highly touched the heart of Parbati. She Of the other boys, one played the role of Peon took the privilege of learning handicraft and self and another acted as advocate. When SDO help and extended her high quality of love and entered the room, Parbati ordered the peon to affection to all. Being inspired and bring SDO and bound in a rope. The policemen commemorating the words of Mahatma Gandhi aggrieved with such unpleasant and unwanted “Kuti Khao, Kati Pindh”, Parbati Giri travelled behaviour of Parbati Giri and tried to get down to Bargarh, Ghens, Panimora, Barpali, her from the chair. Later on they arrested her Sarandapali, Padampur and Sambalpur and immediately. She was imprisoned for two years nearby villages. She met, talked to, interacted with at Sambalpur jail. She was released subsequently. and got feedback from all kinds of people –men, By this her revolutionary attitude was aggravated women, country folk and trained as well as for liberation of her motherland. Here, the patriotic persuaded all people on spinning and wearing immortal line of Bandir Atmakatha written by Khadi. This was enlightened to the Khadi Utkalmani Gopabandhu Dash can be memorized- Andolona called by Mahatma Gandhi. Because “Pachhaghuncha Nahin Birara Jatake, Na Gandhiji wished to propagate ad popularise the mare se kebe paran atanke”. cause of Khadi which was the ethical economic After India got independence, Parbati and political uniform for freedom movement. Giri was associated with the betterment of mother Under the guidance and leadership of soil and all kinds of people whoever fan and foe Gandhiji, the “Quit India Movement” was held may be. During famine period in Odisha, especially during 1942 to make India free from the bondage at Padampur, Paikmal, Khariar and Nuapada of British Ruler. Inspired by Gandhiji, Parbati Giri people were deprived of getting a bowl of food. made herself political activist. Most of the Parbati Giri could not but see such unbearable prominent freedom fighters were arrested for situation of the distressed people. Her heart was breaking the law to make the revolution high. She thrilled with kindness. Feeling compassionate was arrested by the police and was released being towards them, she run from village to village and distributed relief. Besides, she rescued 49 Nos. a minor. On the other hand, her relatives like of orphan and destitute and sheltered at Ramachandra Puri, Ujjal Puri, Tulasi Puri, Satyabhamapur Kasturba centre. It undoubtedly Mangala Puri, Dwitia Giri were arrested by the leads to the kindheartedness of Parbati Giri at a police. In this incident, Parbati did not feel glance and made an example for others for all harassed and courageously moved to Bargarh times to come. holding the National Flag- Triranga. Once she and some other boys rushed to courtroom of Bargarh Parbati Giri initiated an orphanage named and raised anti-government slogan loudly. Who ‘Kasturba Gandhi Mahila Niketan’ at the did not vacate the court were presented two foothill of Shri Shri Nrusinghanath temple of bangles to wear. This was great insult to the Paikmal Block to shelter the orphan and women

August - 2016 17 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review during 1976 and spent her life in providing good According to Mahatma Gandhi- the moral values to children. Similarly, she established Father of Nation that “woman is immeasurably another home named Dr. Isac Santra Bal Niketan superior than man in moral mental power. A at Phuljaran under Jujomara Block of Sambalpur woman is more self sacrificing, greater power of District. Both the Mahila Niketans attract many endurance, greater courage and as a whole a people from far and wide to justify the activities greater intuition. And friendly a woman makes executed by Parbati Giri. more effective appear to the heart.” This is a fact and was reflected on Parbati Giri as an woman. Parbati Giri worked for jail improvement and leprosy eradication. She had belief on the Selflessly dedicating valuable life, Parbati moral line-Karma mohar nija guru. She had produced a number of good people alike her. employed herself for the sake of poor, destitute She breathed her last on 17.08.1995 after and orphans. In the thick dark of despair she suffering from Cancer and Jaundice. She remained was a candle of hope. For the benevolent attitude immortal for all people to come. Not only the soil towards poor, destitute people, occupying unique of Samalaipadar is remembering but also all human place as well as playing significant role in Indian being are catering their love and affection to Parbati freedom struggle, she was nicknamed as “The Giri from core of the heart. When the National Mother Teresa of Western Odisha”. She was Flag of Independence flutters in celebration and also known as “Banhi Kanya” for not caring triumph, our thought turn to the bravery attitude blame, insult, oppression, highhandedness, of Late Parbati Giri and national anthem stir in colonial rule of others as well as for her violent our mind. However, this Independence Day let’s nationalistic sentiments and free expression. She salute those women whose brave deeds made had raised loud voice against the exploitation, India proud. illegal activities. She was hard like ore in tongue but soft like flower by heart. Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab had offered MLA post and Biju Pattnaik had offered MP post for Rajya Sabha to which, Parbati Giri humbly denied to accept such political Kunja Bihari Sahu, Project Director, Watersheds, post. Bargarh 768028., Email: [email protected].

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