

PHULBANI: The 18th death anniversary of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was observed by the Kandhamal unit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) here on Sunday.
A grand procession was taken out from Madikunda chowk in Phulbani with thousands of people participating. The procession passed through the main market road and reached the high school playground, where participants held a memorial meeting.
Speakers recalled Swami Laxmanananda’s contribution to the education and social development of tribal communities in Kandhamal. They also urged the youths to draw inspiration from his life, sacrifice, and service and to work towards preserving Indian culture, moral values, and traditions.
Welcoming the Odisha government’s decision to name the medical college and hospital at Phulbani after Swami Laxmanananda, the speakers urged police to trace the actual culprit and conspirator responsible for the killing of the seer.