Madhusudan_Das

36 Madhusudan Das :
organisation - the Utkal Union Conference, on which he spent heaps
of money but did not spend it in vain. It is this organisation, its
persistent struggle and determination which won for the Oriya a
separate province.
The man was greater than the public man is the well considered
verdict of one who knew Madhusudan both as a man and public man
for nearly half a century. He helped people in distress and difficulty
and his left hand did not know what his right hand gave....
Madhusudan was regarded as the saviour of the great Temple
of Jagannath. When the Government of Bengal attempted to take the
temple under its management and there was a commotion throughout
the country , Madhusudan espoused the cause of the Hindu community.
He urged that the Raja who performed the worship was the Pope of
the Hindu world whose name and year of reign were borne on the
horoscope of every Oriya child and could not be deprived on his rights.
He triumphed at last and the attempt was given up. The press and
the public paid great tribute to him.
Madhusudan realised the important part that industries play in
the development of a country. He found hundreds of ton of raw hide
and skin exported from Orissa and thought he could make better use
of them. This was the origin of the Utkal Tannery which turned out
leather goods which were highly appreciated in Europe and America.
He was so jealous of the reputation of his pet child that he would
burn all inferior productions contrary to commercial principles. He
spent his fortune over this business which landed him in financial
difficulty.
He did not regret that though he earned money like a prince,
he died a poor man. Even before his death he was thinking of a big
factory which would utilise the vast raw products of Orissa and provide
work for the Oriya labourer who goes abroad in sound health but
returns home a physical wreck.
Madhusudan's mission was the uplift of Orissa. That mission
he fulfilled. He continued to think of his country till the very end.
He is gone but his spirit lives in the heart of every Oriya. Glory to
the name of Madhusudan.