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Mr.
Sashibhusan Rath had taken his birth at Surada in the
district of Ganjam in 1885. His father was Lambodar
Mahapatra, who was a well established citizen of the locality.
Sashibhusan Rath had encouraged the Oriya race through
his publication "ASHA" and "NEW ORISSA"
news paper. He had planted a
new life in the dormant soul of Oriya people and he had
fulfilled the dream of Orissa as separate
province. He had dedicated his every thing for
the interest of the Oriya people. His role in the formation
of Orissa as a separate province is really unforgettable.
The surname of Mr.Sashibhusan had become Rath from Mahapatra, as
he was adopted to his uncle Mr.Digambar Ratha. From
the very beginning of his child hood, he was in the attempt of
eradication of superstition, anti social activities like
animal sacrifice before the goddesses etc. He
had passed his matriculation in 1902 from Madras University
at Parlakhemundi.Subsequently, he spent his life for some time as a
businessman and he was appointed as a Manager in "Utkal
Tanary" established by Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das.
Then he was appointed as a Manager of" Young & Co"
medicine company in Calcutta. In Calcutta
he had organised an "Oriya
Association". He was almost mad for
the upliftment of the Oriya people and introduction of Oriya Language in
Govt.machinary. He was trying hard for the unification of the
Oriya speaking areas. He was the lover of Oriya
literature. He had published the weekly newspaper
"ASHA" in 13th April'1913 and won the hearts of the
entire Oriya people. Due to his popularity he became the
Vice-Chairman of Berhampur Muncipality in 1914 and
he under taken many development works in to his hands.
He had mobilised the people regarding the activities of Utkal
Sammiloni and formation of Orissa as a separate provinces
through " ASHA ". In 1918 he had established
an Oriya School at Berhampur, which functioned under the management of
Berhampur Muncipalty. Apart from "ASHA " Sashibhusan
Babu had published two more monthly magazines of
literature i.e, " Satyabadi " and "Pradeepa".
In 1920,
he was elected to Madras Assembly Council and put forth many
proposals before the Govt. for overal development
of Ganjam district. In 1921, he was also
elected as a member of Managing Committee
of Khallikote College, Berhampur. During his tenure
the Khallikote College was improved a lot.
In 1924, Sashi
Babu had organised " Dandasi Caste Association" (Pana race)
and fulfilled their claims putting pressure on Govt.
Mr.
Sashi babu is the ablest man of Orissa and pride
of Orissa. He had profound knowledge and high souled
patriotism. He is no more, but he will be
remembered always by the Oriya for his
past deeds.
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