Gajapati Maharaja Krushna Chandra Dev ( 1892-1974)
An Architect of modern Odisha. He attended the first Round Table Conference in London on 16th November 1930 wherein he made a fervent appeal for creating a separate province of Odisha on the basis of Language and homogeneity.
After Odisha was granted separate statehood in 1936, Krushna Chandra Dev was twice elected as the Prime Minister of the state. Utkal University, Medical College, Odisha High Court, and the Agricultural Research Center took shape during his rein. He adored the Odia literature and the artworks of Odisha and was instrumental in establishing a permanent theatre at Paralakhemundi for promoting cultural activities. He also played an important role in the agricultural development of the state.
He will be remembered as the architect of modern Odisha who had revolutionized the social and economic fiber of the state.
As an eloquent spokesman of Odias, he was felicitated by Madhusudan Das, the father of modern Odisha. As a scion of illustrious Ganga Ruler he espoused the cause of the poor and downtrodden. Later played an important role in bringing together the vivisected parts of Odisha and laid the foundation of United Odisha. He was a member of old Madras Legislative Council, a member of royal commission of Agriculture and a member of Odisha Legislative Assembly. He was twice elected as Prime Minister of Odisha. He was an Educationist, Freedom Fighter, Social Reformer and a champion of the poor.
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