The state observed the 170
th birth anniversary of the founding father of Odisha,
Utkal Gauraba Madhusudan Das with artistes, politicians, government and private organisations paying floral tribute to the legend. The day also has been celebrated as Lawyer’s Day in the state since Madhusudan, who is popularly known as Madhu babu, was the first barrister from Odisha. The legend, who was born in 1848, had a lot of firsts to his name. He was the first graduate, first MA, first
advocate, first member of the Central Legislative Assembly from the state and it was his efforts that helped in the formation of
Odisha as a state taking the people's mother tongue, Odia, into consideration.Internationally acclaimed sand artiste
Sudarsan Patnaik paid tribute to him through a sand sculpture at the
Puri beach.
