Pandit Gopabandhu Das (1876-1928) was an eminent philosopher, poet, social reformer and a freedom fighter who worked for the welfare of the people of
Orissa. Dubbed as the Gandhi of Orissa, he played a major role in the formation of a separate province of Orissa.
Pandit Gopabandhu Das was born in a noble Brahmin family in a village called Suando in Puri District. A Law Graduate from the Calcutta University, he shattered the shackles of narrow caste barriers and strived for the eradication of poverty from Orissa. A forward thinking educationist, he was responsible for establishment of Satyabadi School at Satyabadi. He was the President of Orissa congress committee and the vice-president of Bharatiya Loksevak Mandal.
Gopabandhu Das started the weekly newspaper 'Samaj' in 1919 and handled the editorial column without a break until his death. His poems 'Ma Ra Kabita', 'Dharmapada', 'Bandi Ra Atma Katha' carried the message of spirituality, patriotism, truth and non-violence. Described as the noblest son of Orissa by Mahatma Gandhi, Gopabandhu Das was a selfless social reformer who had sacrificed his life for the betterment of the society. He passed away in 1928.
