CM Majhi pays tribute to Jaipur Maharaja Vikramdeb Varma on birth anniversary
Synopsis
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 28 June 2026 paid devotional tribute to late Maharaja Vikramdeb Varma of Jaipur on his birth anniversary, calling his contribution to the formation of a separate Odisha state 'unparalleled and ever memorable.'
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi paid tribute to late Maharaja Vikramdeb Varma of Jaipur on his birth anniversary on 28 June 2026 .
Majhi described Vikramdeb Varma as one of the foremost pioneers of the formation of a separate Odisha province .
The CM called his contribution to Odisha 'unparalleled' and said it would 'always be remembered.' The tribute was posted in the Odia language , underscoring its cultural and regional significance.
Odisha was formed as India's first linguistic state on 1 April 1936 , a movement in which royal figures like Vikramdeb Varma played a key role.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday, 28 June 2026 paid homage to late Maharaja Vikramdeb Varma of Jaipur, one of the key architects of the formation of a separate Odisha state, on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
Context
In his post, Chief Minister Majhi offered reverential tribute — 'bhaktiputa pranama' (devotional salutations) — to the late Maharaja, stating that his 'unparalleled contribution to Odisha will always be remembered.' The tribute was shared in the Odia language, reflecting the cultural and regional significance of the occasion.
Maharaja Vikramdeb Varma of Jaipur is regarded as one of the foremost pioneers (purodha) in the movement for the formation of a separate Odisha province. His role in the linguistic and territorial consolidation of the Odia-speaking people holds a revered place in the state's political and cultural memory.
Policy Backdrop
Odisha was carved out as a separate province on 1 April 1936, becoming the first state in India to be formed on a linguistic basis. The movement for a separate Odisha, known as 'Utkal Sammilani', drew contributions from several royal figures, administrators, and social reformers across the region.
Maharaja Vikramdeb Varma of Jaipur (in present-day Odisha's Koraput region, distinct from Rajasthan's Jaipur) is counted among those who lent political weight and institutional support to the cause of Odia identity and statehood. His birth anniversary is observed as a moment of historical reflection in the state.
Stakeholders and Impact
The Chief Minister's tribute carries symbolic weight as it comes from the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Odisha, signalling the ruling dispensation's intent to honour figures from across the state's political and royal heritage. Such commemorations help reinforce a sense of shared Odia identity that transcends party lines.
Descendants, historians, cultural organisations, and citizens of Koraput and surrounding districts — where the Jaipur princely state was historically located — are among those who observe this birth anniversary with particular reverence.
What's Next
As Odisha approaches the 90th anniversary of its formation in 2026, tributes to founding figures like Maharaja Vikramdeb Varma are likely to feature prominently in official commemorations. The state government may use such occasions to strengthen its cultural outreach and historical awareness programmes across Odisha's districts.
Point of View
Positioning the party as a custodian of Odia pride and identity. By honouring figures from the pre-independence princely era, the ruling government seeks to build cultural legitimacy beyond its core electoral base. Such commemorations also serve as soft-power tools ahead of key anniversaries, with Odisha's 90th formation year in 2026 providing a natural platform. The tribute signals that historical memory will remain a significant political currency in the state.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Maharaja Vikramdeb Varma of Jaipur?
Maharaja Vikramdeb Varma of Jaipur (in present-day Odisha's Koraput region) was a royal figure and one of the key pioneers of the movement to form a separate Odisha province, which was achieved on 1 April 1936.
Why did CM Mohan Majhi pay tribute to Vikramdeb Varma?
CM Mohan Charan Majhi paid tribute on the occasion of Maharaja Vikramdeb Varma's birth anniversary, honouring his unparalleled contribution to the formation of a separate Odisha state.
When was Odisha formed as a separate state?
Odisha was formed as a separate province on 1 April 1936, making it the first state in India to be created on a linguistic basis.
What did CM Majhi say about Vikramdeb Varma?
CM Majhi stated that Vikramdeb Varma's contribution to Odisha was 'unparalleled' and would 'always be remembered,' offering him devotional salutations on his birth anniversary.
Which party leads the Odisha government in 2026?
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, leads the Odisha state government.
