Annapurna Maharana Biography 
Annapurna Maharana was an independent activist, freedom fighter, social and women's rights activist from Odisha, who was a close ally of Mahatma Gandhi. She also worked towards children’s rights in independent India. She lived during the period, 3 November 1917 – 31 December 2012. A few months before her death, Central University of Odisha awarded Maharana a Honoris Causa (honorary degree) in a public ceremony. She died after a prolonged illness in 2012, aged 95. This veteran had accompanied Mahatma Gandhi in the Harijan Padayatra from Puri to Bhadrak. She was also a trustee of the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust.
Annapurna Maharana was born in Odisha on 3 November 1917. Rama Devi and Gopabandhu Choudhury were her parents, and she was born as their second child. Both her parents were freedom activists, who did their own efforts from UK. She was only 14 years old when she plunged into the independence movement, deeply inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. In 1934 she became a part of "Harijan Pada Yatra", and also actively participated in Quit India Movement. She has been arrested multiple times for her participation in freedom struggle movement.
After 1947, she was fully active in social service and dedicated a life for the welfare of others. After independence she mostly worked towards the welfare of women and kids. She opened a school for tribal kids in Odisha's Rayagada district. She was also a part of Vinoda Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement. Most of her social activities were done in Chambal valley, infamous for dacoits. She helped many social activists during Emergency period. She published Ramadevi Choudhury’s newspaper as a protest to Emergency. She died on 31 December 2012, at the age of 96, after prolonged illness.
Published: January 05, 2020
Updated: January 05, 2020
