Dr HK Mahtab portfolio

Profile of Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab

Born in 21st November 1899 at Agarpada, Balasore District, Odisha
Father: Krushan Charan Das
Mother: Topha Bibi
Adopted by Maternal Grandpa Jagannath Mahtab, Maharaj of Agarpada and Rani Dhani Bibi
Passed Matriculation in 1st Divison in 1917 from Bhadrak High School
Married to Subhadra Devi in 1917.
In 1918 Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab joined Utkal Sammilani at Cuttack as a volunteer.
In September 1920 when Mahatma Gandhi had been invited to discuss at the Congress Session held at Kolkata, Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab had been a spectator.
Paricipate in National Freedom Movement in 1921.
In July 1922, he took the lead role in Kanika Praja Movement and was imprisoned. During this time, Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab wrote books "Ajab Dunia" novel in Odia, and "Free thinking" in English.
Became the Editor of weekly Prajatantra published from Kataka which went on to became a daily news paper in 1923.
In 1927 Dr Mahtab published English weekly magazine 'Adventure'.
In 1928 he formed the Odia society at Kolkata and became its President
In 1929 he took the lead role among non-resident Odias in the revolt against Simon Commission at Kolkata.
First and youngest man from Odisha to became a member of working committee of AICC in 1930.
In 1930 he became the President of Utkala Pradesh Congress Committee and in the same year he was imprisoned for participating in the Satyagrah Movement.
On 17th April 1930 for his stewardship in the salt movement during his jail sojourn, Mahtab, translated Balmiki's Sanskrit 'Ramayan' into Odia and wrote the Odia version of the 'Gita' in simple prose style.
In 1931 he was set free from the prison through Gandhi-Irwin pact.
In 1932 when Congress session was banned at Puri Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab was arrested at Balasore.
In 1932 he sufferred further imprisonment for participating in Salt Satyagraha.
In 1937 he was elected as the president of Odisha Pradesh Congress.
In 1938 he took the leadership of Gadjat Praja Movement and was nominated as the advisor of Prajamandal and member of Nikhil Bharat Congress Karyakari Committee.
On January 5th 1939 he got involved in the Ranpur Praja Movement and Bezelgate assassination and was acquitted free by Gandhiji's efforts.
Imprisoned from 1942 to 1945 with top leaders of India at Agra Fort, during this time he wrote History of Odisha, 3 novels and number of poems.
He was the Last Prime Minister of Odisha from 23rd April 1946 to May 11th 1950 and First Chief Minister of Odisha from 1956 to 1961.
Delivered two lecture sessions at Princeton University, USA with the presence of Albert Einstien in 1950, the only Odia to achieve this feat.
Became the First Person to be broadcasted in BBC when he attend the Commonwealth Supply Minister's Conference held at London in October 1951. The only Odia whose photograph is displayed at BBC, London.
He became the Industry, Commerce and Supply Cabinet Minister from 1950 to 1952 the First Odia to achieve this feat.
On April 13th 1950 Bisubh Milan for the first time was held at Prajatantra parishad.
Became General Secretary of Congress Parialmentary Party from 1952 to 1954.
He was appointed as Governor of Bombay Province from 1955 to 1956, the First Odia to achieve this feat.
Served as Deputy Leader of Parialment from 1962 to 1963.
Received Kendriya Sahitya Academy Award in 1983 for his creative journalism column Gaan Majilis published regularly in daily Prajatantra news paper, became First Person to create such type of journalism.
Passed away on 2nd January 1987 at the age 88.