FAREWEL ADDRESS TO THE ORISSA MEMBERS IN THE BIHAR AND ORISSA LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE 28^TH MARCH, 1936

The Hon’ble the President: Hon’ble Members, before I read the order of prorogation I would seek your permission to say a few words by way of bidding farewel to the Hon’ble members from Orissa (Hear, hear). On the occasion of the creation of the new province of Orissa we regret very much that our long and harmonious association has come to an end now. The Hon’ble members from Orissa took an active part in the deliberations of this Council and they made useful contributions to the debates of this Council during the last 15 years. They have rendered very valuable services to the province as a whole. Our relation with them has been always cordial and intimate. I feel sure that their absence from this Council will be keenly felt by each one of us: I assure them on behalf of the Hon’ble members of the Council from Bihar that they have our good wishes in the future happiness and prosperity of their new province (Hear, hear). I think I shall be failing in my duty if I do not express my personal gratitude to the Hon’ble members from Orissa who have always shown a due deference and courtesy to the Chair since I have been occupying this responsible position. I have always received co-operation from them and I feel that without their co-operation it would have been difficult for the Chair to discharge its functions properly. With these words I wish them good-bye.

Rai Bahadur LAKSHMIDHAR MAHANTI: On behalf of the Orissa members, I thank you, Sir, very sincerely for the very kind words that have fallen from you. We are very thankful to the members from Bihar for the sympathetic attitude which they have all along taken for Orissa. We are thankful to the Government of Bihar and Orissa as a whole, and we are thankful to you, Sir, for your personal courtesy and kind sympathy.

Rev. BRAJANANDA DAS: Sir, I would only add a word. It is very kind of you, Sir, to wish happiness and prosperity for the new province. You have said very many kind words, and I acknowledge with thanks the good feelings that have been shown to us and the spirit of brotherliness that has been manifested on the part of the Hon’ble the President of the Council and others. I have been connected with this Council ever since 1927, and during this period I have found that there has been a growing sense of brotherliness and kindness. I thank you, Sir, for the very kind words that you have just uttered and I wish also that when we part this Bihar Council will be as successful as it has been in the past. I hope and trust that the tie of friendship and brotherliness that has bound us so long will be maintained and that it shall remain even if we are separated.

Orissa as you know, Sir, is a centre of attraction. For the fact that the great temple of Jagannath is at Puri which is visited by people from all parts of India. There is no distinction of caste in Puri, there is no Brahmin, no depressed classes, and when people from Bihar will come to Puri, they will be accorded a warm welcome whenever they come. I again sincerely thank you, Sir, for the spirit in which you have wished us happiness and prosperity, and I reciprocate the same in all sincerity.

The Hon’ble the PRESIDENT: I am going to read the order of prorogation. I hope the Hon’ble members will receive it by rising in their seats.

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 72-8 of the Government of India Act, I hereby declare that at the conclusion of the meeting on the 28^th of March 1936, the Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council stands prorogued.

The 28^th March 1936                                         Governor of Bihar and Orissa