Kendrapada: Padmacharan Nayak, a noted Gandhian and freedom fighter from Badakula village in Kendrapada district, completed 100 years on Thursday. Born on Jan 30, 1926, Nayak is among the oldest surviving freedom fighters of the state.When Nayak was born, Lord Reading was the Viceroy of India and Stanley Baldwin the Prime Minister of England. World War II, freedom movement, Partition of India, birth of Bangladesh, the television and the computer, man landing on moon, internet and Facebook — he has lived through them all. Politically active since his college days, Nayak pursued higher education in chemistry and graduated with a master’s degree from Ravenshaw College.“I had a very fulfilling 100 years, having been a freedom fighter, an MLA, social worker and as the convener of anti-liquor advocacy group Milita Odisha Nisha Nibarana Abhijan (MONNA) in the state,” Nayak said, adding that he sees hope in the youth.Nayak said, “Mahatma Gandhi’s last visit to Odisha was in 1946, during his journey from Calcutta to Madras. He travelled by train and made brief stops at several railway stations in Odisha, including Cuttack, Balasore, Bhadrak and Berhampur, where public receptions were arranged for him. I was present in the railway station at Cuttack and listened to the brief speech of the Father of the Nation.”“It is indeed heartening to find people like Nayak in today’s world. I am of the firm belief that he should stand out as a role model for the next generation,” said Ganeswar Behera, a former minister and MLA of Kendrapada. “His memory is good, his wit is quick and his health is a great blessing,” said Dilip Nathsharma, the convener of Padmacharan Nayak Birth Centenary Committee.
