Kendrapara,Dec 24(Odisha.in) Noted freedom fighter and former MLA of Earasama , Gourishyam Nayak (89) died in village Hajipur under Earasama block in Jagatasinghpur district on Monday.
He participated in Quit India and Salt Movement in 1930s and 1940s. He along with many freedom fighters set afire the police station in Earasama in 1942 for which he had been imprisoned for two years during the British period from 1942 to 1944.
After independence, Gourashyam Nayak the senior congress leader had been elected as an MLA from Earasama assembly segment in 1952 during the first assembly election in the state.
Later he was also elected in 1962 as the first chairman of Earasama Panchayat Samiti. He established a high school and Girls’ high school in Kujang areas.
He also worked to give the land right of the farmers in the state.
Orissa Estate Abolition Act, 1952 was passed in the state assembly due to the efforts of Gourishyam Nayak. In the past, Earasama and Kujang areas were under the landlords of Burdhawan Raja and other landlords.
Gourishyam fought against the oppressions of the landlords for which he was always popular among the farmers.
He is survived by four sons. Earasama MLA, Damodar Rout, Purosotam Nayak a veteran freedom fighter and the president of state’s freedom fighters’ association and other condoled the death of the veteran freedom fighter.
Odisha.in