New Delhi: Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Shri Jayanarayan Mishra, MLA, Sambalpur, launched “The Saga of Kudopali: The Unsung Story of 1857”. Published by National Book Trust, India. The launch event was held at Tapaswini Hall, Sambalpur, Odisha.
Speaking on the occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the significance of the Sambalpur Kudopali incident of 1857, comparing it to the JallianwalaBagh massacre. He honoured the memory of Veer Surendra Sai and 57 other martyrs who sacrificed their lives fighting against the British.
Pradhan acknowledged the efforts of the National Book Trust and Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) in researching and publishing the book, which pays tribute to the remarkable bravery of the Kudopali martyrs. He expressed gratitude to all those involved in bringing this important historical account to life.
“The Saga of Kudopali: The Unsung Story of 1857” is a collection of essays on various aspects of the freedom struggle fought against the British army in Kudopali, Sambalpur in 1857. The book, published by the National Book Trust, India, sheds light on the struggle waged by Veer Surendra Sai and other freedom fighters against British imperialism, describing their guerrilla tactics and their courage in the Sambalpur region.
The book also presents in detail the socio-political conditions of the time, the cultural impact of colonial policies, and the human side of the rebellion. Bringing out the courageous contributions of local heroes like Chhabila Sai and SrikrishnaBehera, the book places the Kudopali rebellion in the broader perspective of India’s freedom struggle.
Emphasizing the importance of documenting the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs, Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, announced plans to translate the book into 10 additional languages, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
Notable dignitaries present at the launch event included MahadevJaiswal, Director of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur, and Prof. BidhuBhushan Mishra, Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University. Other prominent guests comprised Himanshu Kumar Lal, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Sambalpur; SachinRamchandraJadhav, IAS, Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Sambalpur; Shri SiddheshwarBaliramBondar, IAS, District Magistrate and Collector, Sambalpur; Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Sambalpur; and Dipak Kumar Panda, a contributor to the book.
