Parbati Giri (19 January 1926 - 1995), daughter of Dhananjay Giri. Nicknamed the Mother Teresa of Western Odisha, was a prominent freedom fighter from Odisha, India. The women freedom fighters of Odisha played a significant role in the Indian Freedom Struggle.

   Due to her anti-British government activities, she was imprisoned for two years. Parbati Giri was just 16 when she was in the forefront of the agitation following Mahatma Gandhi’s “Quit India” call. She continued to serve the nation socially after independence.

Early life

   Parbati Giri was born in Samlaipadar village near Bijepur of the present Bargarh district and undivided Sambalpur in 1926. Her father’s name was Dhananjaya Giri and mother’s name was Shrimati. Out of four children, Parbati Giri was the first child. Parbati Giri was inspired to join India’s freedom struggle at the tender age of 11.

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