This is the 8th in series of recapitulation in my own words portions of Pandit Nilakantha Das's Biography in Odia. Enjoy...
Pandit Nilakantha Das has vividly described the huge hiatus between the rich and poor of the time. Once he took out the students of Satyavadi School to the famous Nilamadhab temple at Kantilo, near Nayagarh. It is located near river Mahanadi, surrounded by twin hills and dense foliage.
The local king (Vassal) of Khandapada made massive BANDOBAST (arrangements) for the entourage. He sent luxurious bullock carts with soft beds to seat on to fetch the guests from Satyavadi, personally receiving them and supervising the JALAJOGA (light refreshments) being served upon their arrival. The new comers were pleasantly surprised at excellent accomodations provided - every room furnished with gas lights, accompanied by high quality food which included varieties of dishes made out of freshly caught fish from flowing MAHANADI and a huge conference hall at their disposal.
They were baffled by such opulence in a state where the overwhelming majority were poor, yet reinforcing the notion of huge gap between few "haves" and the vast "have nots". The Bidyarthees of Satyavadi by virtue of their education earned a reputation impressive enough to be pampered by the rich and famous of the time. However, Nilakantha Das strictly informed the hosts not to serve any tobacco products to the students.
The excited, inquisitive folks of Satyavadi went around the Royal Palace. Later they visited the surrounding twin hills and enclosing forest, where Nilakantha Das remembers hearing roar of Tiger from a distance around twilight. Everyone had a great time before bidding audieu from Kantilo, richer with experience and parting gifts from the local King.
Satyavadi school contiued functioning fine until internal contradictions, debts and scarcity of money due to chronic back to back draughts led to its downfall. Beginning October, 1918 it was never the same. The friends went their own way, with Pandit Nilakantha leaving on a teaching assignment in Calcutta, followed by a stint in Sambalpur serving the locals. When he returned back to Satyavadi, he noticed that during his long absence, absent was the discipline which used to be the backbone of the institution.
Gopabandhu, another pillar of Satyavadi School was getting frequently sick and increasingly dependent on Nilakantha Das, both physically and emotionally. Godabarisha, inspired by Gopabandhu went to Chakradharpur to campaign on including the separatist Singhabhum into Odisha's fold. Krupasindhu Mishra went to Midnapore to build a High School there.
As the founders went ahead above and beyond the perimeter of Satyavadi just for the larger goal to establish a greater Odisha, it shook the foundation of the school. The Gang of Five were now gearing up for another phase of life - a new front called politics.
TO BE CONTINUED, AS I READ 📖 FURTHER
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