A three-day National Conference is being held to honor the 125th Anniversary of Utkal Kesari Harekrishna Mahatab, organized by the National Sanskrit University in Tirupati and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India from December 21 to 23, 2025, in Tirupati.
The conference was conducted under the auspices of the Odisha chair of NSU, featuring distinguished individuals and scholars such as Dr. Maddila Gurumoorthy, Prof. Prafulla Kumar Mishra, Prof. G S R Krishnamurty, Dr. Gyana Ranjan Panda, Prof. Chandi Prasada Nanda, Dr. Chandra Sekar Hota, Prof. Harihar Panda, Sri. K.V. Narayan, and Prof. Rajanikant Shukla, who honored the event.
Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary of AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, was invited to participate in the conference. During this event, Dr. Tripathy delivered a speech on "Transcending Self-Interest: Dr. Harekrishna Mahtab’s Impact on India’s Cultural Legacy and National Identity."
Dr Tripathy emphasized the significant ideas of Dr. Mahtab's Nationalism in the context of Sri Aurobindo, which included sacrificial leadership during the freedom struggle, the integration of cultural consciousness with politics, the promotion of linguistic and cultural pride, a commitment to democratic institutions over individual authority, historical writing rooted in national awakening, ethical governance as a cultural value, alignment with the concept of enlightened self-interest, and his enduring influence on India’s national identity.
Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab’s life and his contributions to public service exemplified a profound connection with the spiritual-national vision articulated by Sri Aurobindo. Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab embraced the idea that nationalism transcends mere political declaration; it is a spiritual force intricately interwoven with culture, ethics, and the collective destiny of the nation.
Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab (1899–1987), affectionately known as ‘Utkal Keshari’, was a prominent freedom fighter, historian, and politician. He played a crucial role in India's independence movement and subsequently served as the Chief Minister of Odisha. The ceremony commemorated his legacy of leadership and service, underscoring his impact on Indian history and Odisha’s cultural heritage.
His contributions to literature, politics, and the unification of Odisha are of immense value. On November 21, 2024, the Ministry of Culture celebrated Dr. Mahtab’s 125th Birth Anniversary at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The Hon’ble President of India inaugurated the event and unveiled a Special Commemorative Stamp and Coin in his honor.
This influence was apparent in Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab’s commitment to democratic governance, marked by moral restraint, his focus on cultural confidence that embraced inclusivity, and his advocacy for a peace-oriented foreign policy rooted in national self-respect.
