Laxmi Panda joins Netaji gallery
CUTTACK: For LAXMI Indira Panda, the first Oriya soldier and one of the youngest in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), the recognition might have come too late.But if she was alive, the plans of the authorities of the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum could alone have fulfilled all her wishes inlife. Occupying space alongside among the most towering personality of India’s freedom struggle, and her exploits described to the visitors who come to know about Netaji would certainly have been beyond her wildest dreams.The Museum has set on work to dedicate a whole gallery to Laxmi Panda and her ilk, who had served in the INA, both dead or alive. People should not only know about Netaji but also the people who constituted the INA. Like Panda, there are many others like Laxmi Sehgal who had served in the INA. The Museum would search for such people across the country and give them their due space with Netaji, sources said.
As a first step, the Museum on Friday unveiled a portrait of Panda, which would adorn the gallery. The display would include vivid but brief descriptions on her life and contribution to the freedom struggle.The portrait (oil on canvas) has been created by Delhi-based artist Md Anwar, who hails from Kazi Bazaar in the town. ‘‘Dedicating the work of art to the heroism of Panda, he has donated it to the Museum,’’ said in-charge JP Das, who presided over a prayer meeting at the Museum premises on Friday.The 76-year-old from Jeypore in Kendrapara district, passed away in New Delhi recently after prolonged illness.Migrating to Rangoon in Burma with her parents from a very early age, she had joined INA at 12 or 13 under ‘Balsenani’. Her heroism and valour had also drawn great appreciation from Netaji himself. But misfortune befell after she returned to Jeypore as she faded into obscurity. She even worked as a domestic help to fend for herself before she was recognised. She received money under Indira Awas Yojana and the President had recently sanctioned the eminent freedom fighter grant of pension under Swatantra Sainik Samman Pension (SSSP) scheme-1980.The Museum, meanwhile, has readied three more galleries to be added to the existing eight depicting various phases and aspects of Netaji’s life.
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