Amar Saheed Baji Rout

Amar Saheed Baji Rout

Baji Raut, the light of liberty, was born in 1925 in the Village of Nilakanthapur in Dhenkanal, His father Hari Raut, had passed away when he was a tiny tot. He was brought up by his mother who was thriving on wages earned by rice-husking in the neighborhood. He had watched how mercilessly the King of Dhenkanal, Shankar Pratap Singhdeo was fleecing the poor villagers including his mother of their earnings by using armed forces. So, when Baishnav Charan Pattanayak of Dhenkanal town, later famous as Veer Baisnav, raised a banner of revolt against the King and founded Prajamandal, Baji joined it despite tender age. Eventually he proved to be one of the greatest fighter of the state by the virtue of his bravery.
In memory of the youngest martyr of India, Utkala Cultural Association at IIT Bombay honors one Odia youth with ‘Baji Rout Samman’ each year on Utkala Divasa (Odisha Day) as an emerging talent in different fields like arts, science, social work, entrepreneurship etc. Miss. Sniti Mishra was honored with ‘Baji Rout Samman’ for the year 2016 for her achievements in music industry.Baji Rout was a great freedom fighter and great achievement consider to Odisha.


ROOTS OF ODISHA FOUNDATION aims to harness the creative potentials of diverse range of people within Odisha and diaspora towards the growth and inclusive development of Odisha.


    To connect to all its roots and create a pillar force for the cause and concerns of Odisha and provide solutions for bringing rapid development

    To work upon the capacity building of people starting from most marginalised section in the areas of
    Education, Healthcare, Arts, culture.

    To Work in promoting the tourism, art, culture and heritage

    To create a knowledge network among Odia and Odia diasporas which will help in providing fresh perspective to Odisha’s development

    To engage the Odia knowledge network and harness their potential at various levels
    To Work for protecting the Nature and environment and make Odisha a Green State by 2035 and creating a path for sustainable development

    To work in promoting skill based education, healthcare women empowerment.