Madhusudan_Das

His Life and Achievements: 47
I found most of the domiciled Bengalees of Cuttack were his respected
personal friends. I discovered it was not that he loved Orissa and Oriyas
more and that his love and admiration for the Bengalees emulated
him in his desire to bring the Oriyas up to their level. He had the
insight and acumen of a true statesman. He was a man of imagination
and a man of action withal. Not only Orissa but India should honour
him and give him a place in the hierarchy of its true patriots.
• • •
(7)
MR. DAS AS A HOST
MRS. SARALA BALA MITTER
I was about to settle down comfortably with the morning paper,
when I was shocked and deeply grieved at the news which suddenly
caught my eye, i.e., the Hon'ble Madhusudan Das of Orissa dead !
Though it was not quite unexpected, as he was advanced in years
and ailing for some time, yet I could not reconcile myself to the sad
news. Was it possible that our dear "Dada", as we called him, has
passed away for ever ? Knowing full well that death terminates life,
and the soul passes away to unknown domains, we are loath to part
with those whom we love and revere, and cling to them the more
as age advances.
I first had the pleasure of the acquaintance of the Hon'ble Mr.
Das in Calcutta , before that I had known him only by name and
fame. His amiable disposition and affectionate ways attracted me at
once and made me feel quite at home, so that 1 had not the least
hesitation in calling him "Dada" as a near relation.
It was in 1906 that I accompanied "Dada" and his daughter
to Bombay on our way to England, where we were proceeding for
study. Dada only went down as for as Bombay to see us off, and we
spent a week there sight seeing. With what solicitude and kindness
he showed and explained all to me, I shall never forget. He was of
strict principles, and a certain amount of sternness was blended with
gentleness, which those who could not fathom, have not been able
to fully appreciate in that great man. His childlike heart was full of