Madhusudan_Das

118 Madhusudan Das:
enjoyed the supports of all including the Garjat rulers. Zamindars and the
common people. The Oriyas who lived in different provinces also came
closer under the banner of this organisation.
GOPABANDHU'S WORK IN OUTLYING ORIYA AREAS
Madhusudan controlled and guided the affairs of the said
organisation. Gopabandhu also joined this organisation and gave it a
new image by his practical works to keep up the cultural. literary and
linguistic affinity and independent identity of Oriyas then living in Bihar.
Bengal and other provinces. He started an Oriya High School at
Chakradharpur and deputed Pandit Godavarish to take charge of it. At
Bahadaguda of Dhalbhum he also started an Oriya M.E. School. In order
to spread the Oriya language and literature he started weekly Samaj on
the 4th October 1919.
NEW IMAGE
The Utkal Sammilani was no longer a resolutionary body of Rajas
and Maharajas of liberal persuasions but it slowly gained a revolutionary
character under the new leadership of Gopabandhu Das. In 1918 the Pun
district was hit by a severe drought followed by big floods. This led to the
development of famine conditions in the district. The Utkal Sammilani at
a largely attended meeting demanded to declare Bahanta Gop and Banpur
as famine areas The Government took the stand that if the Commissioner
recommended for the declaration of famine in these areas then only the
Government may do so. But Mr. Grunning the Commissioner of Orissa
Division, tried to falsify the demand of Utkal Sammilani. Gopabandhu
lookup the matter in the Bihar-Orissa Legislative Council and challenged
the Commissioner's statement by showing the wild roots, leaves, etc..
which are being consumed by the starvation affected people and also
showed their skeleton like photographs in the Council. At last the Governor
agreed to personally visit Orissa and assess the situation. Accordingly.
Mr. Edward Gait, the Lieutenant Governor came to Orissa on the 7th
April. 1920 in response to Pandit Das's request in the Council and made
his own assessment. But Pandit Das knew the ways of the British
bureaucracy and their Indian stooges. Despite the Governor's personal
assessment of the gravity of the situation, the Government did not declare
famine. However. Mahatma Gandhi deputed Thakkar Bapa to Puri to
work in the famine areas. As a result of his effort about 2 lakhs rupees
came from different parts of India tor the relief work. Pandit Gopabandhu