Participating in the Lok Sevak Mandal program, President Draupadi Murmu, first paid tribute to the founder of the Lok Sevak Mandal, the great freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, by garlanding his statue. She then pressed a remote button to unveil the statue of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, a great freedom fighter, renowned social worker, educationist, and journalist. Gopabandhu Das dedicated his entire life to serving the poor, the deprived, the orphaned, and suffering humanity, spreading education, and awakening the nation. His incomparable service earned him the title of “Utkalmani” (Jewel of Odisha). This is the first statue of his to be unveiled by the Honorable President in Delhi.

On this occasion, National President of Lok Sevak Mandal Rajkumar Chopra and National Secretary Ramanath Jha presented a bouquet of flowers to President Draupadi Murmu and extended a warm welcome and felicitation.

Lok Sevak Mandal’s media in-charge Ravi Shankar Mishra said that Deepak Malviya and Rajendra Kumar Jena welcomed the Union Minister Jual Oram and former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Vejayant Panda, National Vice President BJP, Dr. Santrupat Mishra MPs present at the program, and paid floral tributes by offering flowers at the statue of Gop Bandhu ji. During the program, the President enquired about the well-being of the life members and office bearers of Lok Sevak Mandal and also got souvenir photographs clicked with them in a cordial manner.

On this occasion, hundreds of dignitaries, social workers, educationists, public representatives, and officials and members of the Lok Sevak Mandal, including Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das’s family, were present. Paying homage to the personality and achievements of the great freedom fighter Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, they pledged to follow his ideals of service, sacrifice, and patriotism.