We are celebrating the death anniversary of great freedom fighter, eminent journalist, social activist Dr. Radhanath Rath on 11th February 2006 through out our state. Dr. Radhanath Rath was not only a centenarian personality but also a social activist popularly known as ‘Babuji’.

Dr. Radhanath Rath was born in a Brahmin Hindu family of Athagarh estate under Cuttack District on 6th December 1896. His Father was Pandit Jagannath Rath & mother was Smt. Kamala Devi. Pandit Rath by the invitation of the then king of Athagarh shifted his residence from Biraharekrushnapur village of Puri District and settled at Athagarh. Radhanath was the first child of his village. After the birth of Radhanath the king named the village as Radhanathpur Sasan.

Radhanath was a brilliant student from his childhood. He completed his primary education from the chahali of Kala Mohanty, which was situated at Nijagarh village. Then he was admitted in Balasore Zilla School for secondary education where his uncle Pandit Loknath Mohaptra was Head Pandit. He got several prizes for his performance in education, sports and music. He met Vyasakabi Fakirmohan Senapati & influenced by him. In the year 1916 he passed Matriculation from Ravenshaw Collegiate School, Cuttack in 1st Division. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was one year senior to him & he was inspired by Netaji in different fields of activities. After Matriculation he proceeded to Sambalpur with Sri Dharanidhar Mishra & worked in a printing press to earn his livelihood. Later he joined Forest Department in Singhbhumi District as a Clerk. There Radhanath met Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das. By the influence of Utkalmani he left Government service & entered social service. Utkalmani has a high impression on the activities of Radhanath Babu. He worked with Utkalmani with a nominal salary of rupees twenty only.  ‘The Samaj’ started in 1919 under the Editorship of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das from Sakhigopal.

Radhanath Babu was appointed as its printer & publisher. He also joined Prajamandal Movement of Athagarh and elected as president of the organization. He played a key role in unification of Godjat area. In the Quit India Movement of 1942 he took major role in Orissa. For his activities he was arrested and jailed by police. In jail he has written so many books & also translated some books like “Das Capital” of Karl Marx. He was taken in Lok Sevak Mandal as a member by the recommendation of Utkalmani & elected as its president. He worked 10 years as the president of Lok Sevak Mandal. He was Manager, Printer, Publisher and Editor of ‘The Samaj’ for more than 76 years. He was also elected from Athagarh Assembly Constituency & became Minister of Orissa cabinet. He was the minister of Finance, Education, Forestry, and Agriculture & Development from 1952-61.

The major work of Radhanath Babu was social service. During flood, drought & cyclone Radhanath Babu was the 1st man who reached the needy & distressed people with relief materials. During 1966 drought of Kalahandi he formed a relief committee & helped the needy people. He was the chairman of large number of organization starting from leprosy eradication to Krushak Samaj, Scout & Guide, Blood Bank etc. He was also the president of 4 colleges & some other educational institutions. During the construction of Dhauli peace Pagoda. Paradeep Port, Rourkela Steel Plant, Nandankanan Zoo, the activities of Radhanath Babu was unforgettable.

Simple life style is the most remarkable thing in the life of Radhanath Babu. He loved reading and his entire office & living room was jammed with thousand & thousand of books. He got immense pleasure only by reading. He disliked television & never seen television during his lifetime. He remarked that television is the destroyer of our culture and tradition.

When we are remembering a noble social activists like Radhanath Babu we should try to give respect to some of his ideals, thinking & by that we may give the actual respect to Radhanath Babu.

My profound respect to the great son of Orissa Radhanath Babu.