Report by OD bureau; Dhamra: ‘Rakta Tirtha Eram’, a book dedicated by Dhamra Port was released today on the occasion of Eram Saheed Diwas by State Panchayatiraj Minister Shri Kalpataru Das. The book dedicates one page each to the heroes of Eram giving brief mention about their lives, sacrifices, great contribution to India’s freedom struggle and information about their families. It also contains photographs of martyrs’ families.

The book released at a function held in the premises of Eram ground near Basudevpur in Bhadrak district where 29 freedom fighters had led their lives in the bullet firing by British force on September 28th 1942 during a public meeting in connection with the Quit India Movement called by Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. Eram is described as the Second Jallianwalabagh of India where these 29 freedom fighters including a woman and a differently abled person were assassinated for the cause of motherland.

The martyrs whose stories have been included in the book are: Pari Bewa, Brundaban Panda, Jati Sahu, Govind Rout, Nidhi Mallick, Shankara Mallick, Upa Mallick, Madan Pallai, Bhagaban Rout, Dibakar Panigrahi, Ratnakar Panigrahi, Ballav Behera, Hrushi Behera, Hari Behera, Krupasindhu Behera, Mani Behera, Gopal Das, Bijuli Das, Radhu Mahalik, Biswanath Das, Dhruba Charan De, Mani Pradhan, Pari Sahu, Basu Sahu, Krushna Swain, Rama Majhi and Bhuya Majhi. One page of the book is also dedicated to freedom fighter Shri Sanatan Behera who survived after sustaining bullet injury in the firing by British forces. Shri Behera breathed his last on 27th December 2011.

Govt. Chief Whip Shri Pravat Tripathy along with Bhadrak District Magistrate and Collector Shri Akshya Kumar Pani, SP Shri Chintamani Panda and members of the Eram Saheed Smriti Committee were present during the book release.

Dhamra Port sources said, the book ‘Rakta Tirtha Eram’ aims at popularizing the sacrifices of the great heroes of Eram within the State & outside. Copies of the publication will be circulated among various Government establishments, educational institutions and libraries of Bhadrak district.