National Symposium On ‘Paika Rebellion’ in Delhi From October 21

National Symposium On ‘Paika Rebellion’ in Delhi From October 21

Bhubaneswar, October 20: The Odisha Government is leaving no stone unturned to substantiate its claim that the 1817 ‘Paika Rebellion’ was the first struggle for independence in India.

Keeping in mind the same, the government is going to organise a National Symposium on Paika Rebellion in Delhi during which debates and deliberation on the armed struggle of the chilvalrous Odia Paikas will be held in order to bring the historical event to limelight. The symposium will begin from October 21.

The two-day programme at India International Centre, Delhi will feature digital presentation, quiz competition on pre-independence movements, rebellion related cultural show, exhibition on the rebellion and release of a colorfull souvenir.

“We are trying our best so that the ‘Paika Bidroha’ (rebellion) gets a status of historical importance and be recognised at national level. For this symposium, we have invited many historians, academicians and scholars to evaluate the event,” said Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Culture Department, Manoranjan Panigrahy, said “‘The Intellects’, a forum of intellectuals in Delhi has decided to support the state’s claim through the national symposium and the Department of Culture is all set to take it forward along with them. The seminar will be addressed by renowned scholars from International and National institutions along with other resource persons.”

A number of historians and resource persons like Prof. Akio Tanobe (Tokyo University), Prof. Annapurnna and Prof. Triloki Pandy (California University), Prof P K Dutta (JNU), Dr A J Thomas (Central Sahitya Academy), Prof. B Das and Prof. Ajay Patnaik (Jamia Millia Islamia University), Prof. Amar Farooqui and Dr. Devaprit Manjit (Delhi University) and Prof. Narayan Rao (Indian Council of Historical Research) will participate in the symposium. Many scholars from Odisha will present their papers on the armed struggle of the Paikas, which has inspired the subsequent national movements against the British rule for India’s Independence.