CM Majhi pays tribute to freedom fighter Ramadevi Choudhury
Synopsis
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi paid floral tributes at the statue of freedom fighter and social reformer Ramadevi Choudhury near the Odisha Legislative Assembly in Bhubaneswar on her death anniversary, 22 July 2026, in an official ceremony announced by the CMO.
Key Takeaways
CM Mohan Charan Majhi offered a garland at the statue of Ramadevi Choudhury near the Odisha Legislative Assembly on 22 July 2026 .
Ramadevi Choudhury was a prominent freedom fighter, social reformer, and women's leader who participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha, and Quit India Movement.
She worked extensively on women's education and empowerment in Odisha until her death in 1985 .
Odisha governments have observed her Shraddha Divas through official wreath-laying ceremonies since at least the 1990s .
The tribute was formally announced by the Chief Minister's Office of Odisha via an official post on X.
The Chief Minister's Office of Odisha announced on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi paid floral tributes at the statue of renowned freedom fighter, social reformer and women's leader Ramadevi Choudhury near the Odisha Legislative Assembly in Bhubaneswar, on the occasion of her Shraddha Divas (death anniversary).
Context
The CMO's post, written in Odia, stated that CM Majhi offered a garland at Ramadevi Choudhury's statue and paid 'deep floral tributes' on the occasion of her death anniversary. The statue, installed near the state legislature, serves as the official site for annual commemorations of the iconic leader.
Ramadevi Choudhury remains one of Odisha's most revered figures from the independence era. She actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Salt Satyagraha, and the Quit India Movement, and dedicated her life to women's education and empowerment until her passing in 1985.
Policy Backdrop
Odisha governments have observed the Shraddha Divas of independence-era leaders, including Ramadevi Choudhury, through official wreath-laying ceremonies at public memorials since at least the 1990s. These observances form part of a broader state policy of preserving collective memory of the freedom struggle.
Across India, state governments regularly mark the death anniversaries of regional satyagraha leaders through statues, memorials, and official events — a practice that reinforces the role of local heroes, and particularly women participants, in the national movement. Odisha's tradition of honouring such figures reflects this wider pattern.
Stakeholders and Impact
The tribute holds particular significance for Odia citizens and women's organisations in the state, for whom Ramadevi Choudhury is a symbol of resistance and social reform. Her contributions to women's education in Odisha continue to inspire civic and policy conversations around gender equity.
CM Majhi, who assumed office in 2024 as the BJP's first Chief Minister of Odisha after the party's historic state election victory, has participated in official commemorations of freedom fighters as part of the government's public outreach and cultural agenda.
What's Next
The annual cycle of tributes to Odisha's freedom fighters is expected to continue around landmark dates including Independence Day (15 August) and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October), when state governments typically announce further commemorations or institutional honours named after independence-era leaders.
Civil society groups and women's organisations may use the occasion to renew calls for greater recognition of Ramadevi Choudhury's legacy in school curricula and public institutions across the state.
Point of View
Particularly its women leaders, in the first years after a historic electoral victory. By holding the ceremony at the statue near the Legislative Assembly — the most visible public memorial — the government signals institutional continuity with decades-old commemorative practice. The choice to highlight a women's leader also carries soft political value at a time when women's participation in governance and social reform remain active policy debates in Odisha. Such tributes, while ceremonial, serve as low-cost but high-visibility moments that reinforce the ruling party's cultural and nationalist credentials ahead of future electoral cycles.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ramadevi Choudhury?
Ramadevi Choudhury was a prominent Odisha freedom fighter, social reformer, and women's leader who participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha, and Quit India Movement, and dedicated her life to women's education until her death in 1985.
Why did CM Mohan Majhi pay tribute to Ramadevi Choudhury on 22 July 2026?
22 July 2026 marked the Shraddha Divas (death anniversary) of Ramadevi Choudhury, and CM Majhi offered floral tributes at her statue near the Odisha Legislative Assembly as part of the state government's annual commemorative tradition.
Where is the statue of Ramadevi Choudhury located?
The statue of Ramadevi Choudhury is installed near the Odisha Legislative Assembly in Bhubaneswar, and serves as the official site for annual tributes on her death anniversary.
Who is the current Chief Minister of Odisha?
Mohan Charan Majhi of the BJP is the Chief Minister of Odisha, having assumed office in 2024 following the party's victory in the state assembly elections.
How does Odisha commemorate its freedom fighters?
Odisha governments have observed the death anniversaries of independence-era leaders through official wreath-laying ceremonies at public memorials since at least the 1990s, with major tributes also held around Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti.
