BHADRAK & GANDHIJI
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It is a matter of great pride for Bhadrak that, it is the only place of Orissa where Mahtma Gandhi visited thrice.
First Visit
_______On 23rd March 1921 Mahatma Gandhi arrives at the Cuttack Railway Station. As per the preplanned scheduled, Gandhiji's visit to Orissa was from 24th March to 29th March. But as he got opportunity he arrives in Orissa one day before, i.e. on 23rd March 1921. So the visit of Bhadrak which was not earlier in his preplanned schedule was possible.
_______Gandhi arrives at Bhadrak Railway station on the night of 24th March 1921 by Puri passenger train. On 25th, he addressed a public meeting at Gandhi Field( Popularly known as Gandhi padia) on the bank of river Salandi. Since there was a large number of gathering of Musilm people so he advised them to establish Khilafat Committee. On that night Gandhi left for Sakhigopal (Satyabadi, in Puri District) by Puri express.
Second Visit
________On 14th December 1927 Gandhiji arrived at Balasore. His Bhadrak visit was scheduled on 15th December . But due to sudden increase in his Blood Pressure he was advised by the doctor to take rest. So Gandhiji visited Bhadrak for the second time on 17th December 1927.Where he addressed a mammoth gathering and allowed the people of Bhadrak to meet him personally. From Bhadrak he proceeded to Charbatia, to see the flood ravaged area of Basudevpur Tahasil of Bhadrak district. During this visit he was accompanied by some of the prominent nationalist leaders of Orissa like Pandit Gopabandhu Das, Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab , Sri Niranjan Pattanaik and others and he was moved to see the plight of the poor people in flood affected area.
Third Visit
_______On 6th May 1934 Gandhiji arrived at Bhadrak for the third time. On the way he addressed a public meeting at Bhandaripokhari. From Bhandaripokhari he started foot-march covering 12 miles surrounded by prominent nationalist leaders of Orissa, and atlast reached Bhadrak. He stayed at Bhadrak on 6th and 7th December 1934 and on 8th December he left for Wardha.
* Ref. Sangramabhumi Bhadrak ( a book in oriya)