At a time when selfless leadership is rare, we were blessed to witness the life and legacy of Com. Banshidhar Mohanty, a towering figure of the P&T Trade Union Movement in Odisha, who led without greed, spoke without fear, and lived without ego. He was more than a leader — he was a saint in action, a living embodiment of truth, justice, and love.
To honour his undying spirit and the path he carved for generations of workers and comrades, the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers, Odisha State CoC, and the All India Postal & RMS Pensioners’ Association, Odisha State Committee are jointly organising the 3rd Remembrance Day of Com. Banshidhar Mohanty as।scheduled below.
🗓 27th July 2025 (Sunday), 10.30 AM
📍 S.N. Sircar Memorial Hall, Jobra Road, Cuttack - 753003
We earnestly appeal to all admirers, followers, trade union activists, and well-wishers to participate in large numbers to pay heartfelt homage to this humble titan of struggle. Let us gather not merely to remember, but to draw strength from his ideals and continue the journey he once walked.
We also extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to OrissaTODAY for publishing the tribute article “A Saint of Struggle” on 21st July 2025. Their timely and respectful coverage has beautifully preserved the memory of our beloved Comrade and shared his story with a wider audience.
Let us unite in remembrance. Let us keep his flame burning.
In Solidarity,
🙏🌹🙏
- Bruhaspati Samal -
On behlaf of the Organising Committee
3rd Remembrance Day of Com. Banshidhar Mohanty
Cuttack | 21st July 2025
A Saint of Struggle
(Remembering Com. Banshidhar Mohanty on the eve of his 3rd Remembrance Day on 27th July 2025)
Bruhaspati Samal -
General Secretary
Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers,
Odisha State Coordination Committee, Bhubaneswar
In a world where people often choose either the path of spiritual detachment or the route of social and political activism, rare are those who seamlessly blend both, dedicating their lives to service, struggle, and sacrifice. Com. Banshidhar Mohanty was one such towering personality — a monk in mind, a warrior in deed. A devout follower of dharma, yet an unflinching trade unionist, he proved by his life that one can live for others, fight for justice, and still remain deeply spiritual — rooted in faith and tradition.
Born on 26th November 1929 in the humble village of Kaniha under Balikuda Block of Jagatsinghpur district in Odisha, Com. Banshidhar Mohanty grew up amidst the winds of colonial resistance and social awakening. Even in his youth, he was drawn more toward service and sacrifice than personal ambition. His early career began with the Department of Posts in 1949, but his soul yearned for something higher. From 1949 to 1953, he lived in the divine company of Swami Shivananda at Rishikesh, imbibing the teachings of Vedanta, selfless service, and renunciation. It was this spiritual foundation that shaped his entire journey ahead.
Responding to the call of Swamiji, he returned to join the Railway Mail Services (RMS) in the Madras Mail at Kolkata. But his vision was always anchored in Odisha. Alongside stalwarts like Late Naba Kishore Pattnaik, he dreamt of decentralizing RMS operations and shifting its nerve centre to Odisha. His persistence bore fruit when RMS 'N' Division was created with its headquarters at Cuttack, operational from 2nd December 1956. What followed was an era of postal expansion in Odisha, led single-handedly by Com. Banshidhar Mohanty. His tireless efforts led to the creation of RMS 'K' Division headquartered at Jharsuguda in 1969, and RMS 'BG' Division with its head office in Berhampur in 1978. But he didn’t stop there. Under his able leadership, RMS offices began operating in Rourkela, Jajpur, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Sambalpur, Bhadrak, Baripada, Bolangir, Kesinga, Jeypore (K), Rayagada, Dhenkanal, and Kendrapara — making Odisha’s postal logistics network robust, inclusive, and accessible. His strategic advocacy also succeeded in shifting the Postal Accounts Office from Kolkata to Cuttack in 1969, thereby empowering Odisha’s administrative autonomy in postal services.
His commitment to the cause of postal and central government employees was unshakeable. He served as the Circle Secretary of the RMS Employees Union for nearly four decades — from 1960 to 1999. Simultaneously, he was the driving force behind the Joint Consultative Machinery (Staff Side), Odisha Postal Circle from 1968 to 2008. His leadership wasn’t confined to organizational management; he was the founder father of major national and state federations including the National Federation of Post and Telecom Employees (NFPTE), National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE), and the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers (CCGE&W) in Odisha. He also laid the foundation of the Cuttack City Coordination Committee of Unions and Associations and played a leading role in forming the Odisha Shramika Karmachari Ekata Manch (OSKEM) — an umbrella for the united voice of workers and employees. He was a firm believer in collective strength and often said, “Unity among the struggling masses is the only guarantee of justice.”
But what made Com. Banshidhar Mohanty different from many trade union leaders was his deep religious conviction and saintly lifestyle. A bachelor by choice and a vegetarian by discipline, he believed in ‘karma yoga’ — working tirelessly without attachment to results. A follower of the Bhagavad Gita’s eternal message, he inspired thousands with the philosophy: “Struggle is a part of life — without it, nothing can be achieved.” His speeches were peppered with references from the Gita, the Vedas, and the Puranas, and he motivated everyone to stand up against injustice with courage and calm. Popularly known as ‘Budhabapa’ among the employees and workers in Odisha including his disciples, he has been the author of as many as 17 religious books.
He was closely associated with many spiritual masters like Jatia Baba Sri Sri Bijay Krushna Goswami, Swami Shivananda, Swami Chidananda, Swami Arupananda, and Baya Baba. Through them, he internalized the values of compassion, austerity, and renunciation. His spiritual aura had such intensity that many of his followers and close associates believe he had healing powers. Numerous miraculous incidents have been narrated by people whose lives were transformed by his blessings. At the same time, his associations extended to the political domain. From Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab and Biju Pattnaik to Janaki Ballav Pattnaik, Rabi Ray, Pandit Nilakantha Das, Pandit Godabarish Mishra, and Sivaji Pattnaik — he remained a respected figure across ideologies and generations. Leaders from all sides admired his integrity and commitment to justice. For him, politics was never about power but about principle, never about position but about people.
He never married, never sought comfort for himself, and spent his life in a modest way — cooking for others with love, sharing food with workers, and serving the needy. His love for humanity was unconditional. He respected all and was respected by all — from ministers to daily wage earners. Caste, creed, or social status never mattered to him. He truly lived the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — “The world is one family.” He established the Sri Sri Bijay Krushna Ashram at Sikharpur, Cuttack — a centre of spiritual learning and service. It still echoes with his teachings, and on every important occasion, people gather there to remember his life and legacy.
Even in his last years, he never retired from activism. Whether it was a strike call, a protest against injustice, or a program for workers’ welfare, he was always present — sometimes as a strategist, sometimes as a motivator, but always as a guiding light. He remained a torchbearer of the working class till his last breath on 27th July 2022. As Odisha prepares to observe his 3rd Remembrance Day on 27th July 2025, emotions run high among the vast number of people whose lives he touched. From postal employees to trade union leaders, from spiritual seekers to political thinkers — everyone bows in reverence to this unique combination of a sage and a struggler. His absence is deeply felt, and yet his ideals continue to illuminate paths across the spectrum of society.
In a time when selflessness is rare, his life remains a blueprint of how one can lead without greed, speak without fear, and live without ego. He was not just a leader — he was a legend, an institution, a soul whose mission was love, justice, and truth. Let us all fold our hands and bow our heads in silent tribute to Com. Banshidhar Mohanty — the saint of struggle, the guardian of workers, the lover of humanity. May his noble soul attain the highest peace.
May his path continue to guide us in our own struggles.
Om Shanti.
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