Page 44 - NIS English January 16-31,2023

Nation Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

VEER SURENDRA SAI

SPENT HALF OF HIS AGE IN

PRISON FOR THE MOTHERLAND

Born: 23 January 1809, Died: 28 February 1884

B orn on 23 January 1809 in Sambalpur, Odisha, Veer

Surendra Sai joined the freedom struggle at the age of
just 17. It is said that in his life of 75 years, Veer Surendra
Sai spent almost half of his life, 36 years, in jail. When
the Khariar state was handed over to the British in 1826,
Veer Surendra Sai of Sambalpur region fought to drive
When the the British out of the motherland. Despite warnings
from the British, the local people supported Surendra
Khariar state Sai in fighting against the British.
He was captured by the British in the year 1840 and
was handed over kept in captivity for 17 years till 1857. When he came
to the British out of jail in 1857 during the Sepoy Mutiny, he prepared
in 1826, Veer an army and again jumped into the war for the freedom
of the motherland. He continued the guerrilla war
Surendra Sai against the British till 1862 and during this period he
of Sambalpur eluded the British. Eventually, in 1864, he was captured

region fought because of a spy. After this he remained in jail for
about 19 years. During this period, the British not only
to drive the tortured Surendra Sai, but also punished his family and

British out of associates by putting them in Andaman and Nicobar
jail and even hanging them. He lost his eyesight while
the motherland. in jail. However, such a story is also prevalent that the

Despite British had gouged out his eye. On February 28, 1884,
Veer Surendra Sai breathed his last at the age of 75 in
warnings from Asirgarh Jail. His contribution to the freedom struggle

the British, the and the fight for the rights of tribals will always inspire
local people people.
In the year 1986, the Government of India issued
supported a postal stamp in the honour of this famous freedom
Surendra Sai in fighter from Odisha. On 22 September 2018, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Jharsuguda Airport
fighting against which has been renamed as 'Veer Surendra Sai Airport,
the British Jharsuguda'. In the program, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi said, “On hearing the name of Veer Surendra Sai, the
passengers coming to this airport will automatically be
attracted towards his bravery, sacrifice and dedication
for Orissa.”

42 New India Samachar January 16-31, 2023