THE PIONEER OF MODERN ODISHA MAHARAJA SRI KRUSHNA CHANDRA GAJAPATI NARAYANA DEV

In the beginning of the 20th century, the feeling of nationalism was swirling through the length and breadth of the country. During this period, there was galaxy of eminent personalities of Orissa, who through influenced by the main stream of Indian Nationalism, were equally concerned for the nece4ssity of creating a separate state of Orissa. For this cause oriyas owe in the incalculable magnitude the contribution of Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayana Dev for his outstanding contribution to the formation of separate State of Orissa. Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Dev, the most striking figure in Orissan history was a wonderful blend of dignity, sincerity, responsibility and magnanimity. Among the heroic sons of Orissa who were steering up the movement of the Oriya people, Maharaja Krushna Chandra stands foremost. He championed the cause of the people of the Oriya speaking tracts and in the Round Table Conference held in England he pleaced the legitimate demands of the Oriya speaking people. The British authorities considered to fulfill the demands of the Oriya people and to take steps for materializing the dreams of the people. By the Government of India Act, 1935 a separate provincial status was afforded to Orissa.