Autobiography of Nilakantha Das - XVII

This is the 17th and my last blog in the series of recapitulation in my own words portions of Pandit Nilakantha Das's Biography in Odia. Hope you enjoyed..

TOWARDS SUNSET IN 1950s ODISHA

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In 1955, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India visited Bhubaneswar. Due to his chronic diabetes, Nilakantha Das could not go to meet him. On hearing this, the President himself went to the later's house. Both were once roommates in Hazaribagh Jail, where they formed a special bonding. Even though he was the First man of India, Dr. Prasad made a point to see an ailing Nilakantha Das.

Sri Das hasn't forgotten to mention about his wife Shrimati Radhamani Devi, who played a supportive role to her husband in politics. She was once the President of Satyavadi's NARI MANDALA SAMITI, a women's group and chief proprietor of the local Girl's school. In 1931 she went to jail for protesting against British.

In the same year, he was elected as the pro-Chancellor of the newly formed Utkal University, along with Godabarisha. In 1957 he was honored with the PADMA BHUSAN Award.

In 1957 elections Nilakantha Das was elected unopposed on a Congress ticket and became the speaker of the house. But his term lasted only 3 years, as the coalition ministry headed by Mahatab collapsed due to the differences of partners, followed by imposition of President's rule.

The President rule was lifted and fresh elections was announced for May, 1961. This time the Congress party in Odisha was led by Biju Patnaik, a strapping 6 feeter and an industrialist with a reputation for flying his own plane on daredevil misssions. A sidelined Mahabab refrained from campaigning, with Nilakantha Das watching from the sidelines how nasty, low level politics and corruption slowly creeping into the system.

He was soon to be vindicated. Under Biju Patnaik in charge of ticket distribution, his application to recontest was rejected. It surprised not just Nilakantha Das, but many stalwarts of Odisha politics, for in the prior election he was elected unopposed. 

Pandit Nilakantha Das was thus reminded of the HADA BALADA RA ATMA KAHANI (The biography of an aging Ox). An already aging Das felt as helpless as an old Ox, taking conniving maneuvering of the political newcomers into his stride.

In last throes of politics, this incident in early 1960s marked the end of his political career. A few years later, Pandit Nilakantha Das breathed his last on 6th November, 1967. He was the last of the Mohicans, the last of the PANCHA SAKHA (The five friends) whose demise marked the end of an era - for after him Odisha has produced many MPs, MLAs but hardly any leader.

(CONCLUDED).