Orissa Review * April - 2010 Role of Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayana Dev in Formation of Separate State of Orissa Smt. Chhabi Mohanty Oriyas owe in an incalculable magnitude the Shri Vikram Dev Burma, the King of Jeypore and contribution of Krushna Chandra Gajapati the uncle of Krushna Chandra Gajapati had Narayana Dev for his outstanding contribution to presided. In the initial stage of the conference, the formation of separate State of Orissa. Shri Krushna Chandra Gajapati had firmly said On 26th April 1892 Shri Krushna and submitted the proposal that it is not wise to Chandra Gajapati Narayan Dev demand only that all Oriya one of the illustrious sons of speaking people should be Orissa was born at brought under one rule but to Paralakhemundi town, the unite all Oriya speaking people district headquarters of present and to demand for separate Gajapati district of Orissa. Shri state of Orissa. Goura Chandra Gajapati was His strong and irrefutable his father and Smt. Radhamani argument had not only Devi was his mother. After astonished the leaders of the completing his primary conference but this thundering education he went to Madras declaration got support and for his higher education. While admiration of Gopabandhu Das, prosecuting his studies at Fakirmohan Senapati, Shashi Madras his father Goura Bhusana Rath and Madhu Chandra Gajapati Dev left for Babu. It was approved as the his heavenly abode. After proposal for formation of completing his studies at separate of Orissa in Utkala Madras he returned to Paralakhemundi and in the Sammilani. In the year 1917 the year 1913 married to princess of Kharasuan State Montegu-Chelmsford Committee had opined in and in the very year held the reign of the State on favour of formation of separate state on linguistic 26th April, 1913. basis. As a member of Utkal Sammilani Krushna Chandra met Montagu. In the Bihar-Orissa The tenth session of µUtkala Sammilani¶ Legislative Assembly a special proposal was was held at Paralakhemundi. In this conference approved for amalgamation of Oriya speaking 56 Orissa Review * April - 2010 areas. While touring Visakhapatnam and Ganjam because Paralakhemundi and Jaipur Zamindaries Shri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Dev met Philiph were omitted. Later on by influencing Lord - Duff Committe. For administrative reform the Willingdon he was successful in persuading for British Government had appointed Simon inclusion of Parlakhemundi and Jeypore Commission. While the entire nation opposed zamindaries in Orissa. Orissa got the status of a Simon Commission, Shri Krushna Chandra state in the political and geographical map of India Gajapati came forward for dialogue with Simon having, six districts, namely Cuttack, Puri, Commission, as a result of which a sub-committee Balasore, Sambalpur, Ganjam and Koraput. was constituted under the chairmanship of Attlee to consider about Orissa and the said committee After one year completion of the separate gave a favourable opinion on formation of Orissa. state in the year 1st April 1937, the first Governor The First Round Table Conference was held in of Orissa, Sir John Austin Hubbak invited Krushna London but there was no agenda to consider Chandra Gajapati Dev to form the cabinet. The about fate of Orissa. On behalf of Bihar-Orissa members of the cabinet were Gorachand Pattnaik Government Shri Krushna Chandra Gajapati was and Latifur Rehman. He was the first Prime nominated and participated in the said conference Minister of Orissa from 1st April 1937 to 18th and drew the attention of British Government by July 1937. Later on he was Prime Minister of his historic speech which stunned them. The Orissa for the second time from 24th November speech was ..... ³We want formation of a state 1941 to 30th June 1944. His dexterity as prime on linguistic basis. You can not make new Minister of Orissa was par excellence. He left for administrative reform by not allowing one crore his heavenly abode on 25th May 1974. Oriyas for formation of a separate State, which is His indimitable spirit of endeavour and Oriya¶s legitimate demand. perseverance to make Orissa a separate state is The British Government in the year 1931 unparalelled and will remain as a golden chapter instituted Odonel Committee and one of the in the history of modern Orissa. aspect of the Committee was to assess the boundaries for the state of Orissa. The report of Odonel Committe was published in the year 1932. After obtaining the approval of Phillip Duff Committee this was published in a white paper in Smt. Chhabi Mohanty lives at D-35, Star City, Patia the year 1933. The white paper was discouraging, Bhubaneswar. 57.