Nabarangpur, Nov 29: With the support of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi and the Smriti Sansad, the 87th birth anniversary of eminent literary figure Bhagirath Patra and a talent felicitation ceremony were held on Thursday at the premises of Raja Chaitanya Dev Government Nodal High School.
Subrata Mohanty, District & Sessions Judge of Nabarangpur, attended as the chief guest and conferred the Bhagirath Samman on social worker Jagannath Patra. While addressing the gathering, he highlighted Bhagirath’s invaluable contribution to Odia literature and urged the new generation to continue nurturing literature and culture.
Distinguished speakers and guests included poet B. Jagadish Mishra, Mukh Chandra Tripathy, and Bijay Chaudhury. Eminent guest Narayanapada Patna, BIO—along with school headmaster Shibaprasad Panigrahi—were also present. The guests stated that Bhagirath was a priceless diamond of the Odia literary world.
Under the chairmanship of poet Narayan, the programme honoured Sriranga Nayak, a writer, researcher, and collector from Beshmakatak, with the Saraswata Seva Samman. Social worker Jagannath Mahapatra received this year’s Bhagirath Samman for his service to society.
The stage coordination was done by Sunandini Tripathy, while telefilm director Manoj Pattanaik introduced the guests.
Akashvani artist Kasturi Rath presented a devotional song on Lord Krishna from Bhagirath’s compositions, while Suresh Chandra Maharana Patra performed a devotional song dedicated to Lord Jagannath.
Among others present were:
Prasad Patra, editorial board member Brundaban Padhy, former MLA Sadan Nayak, advocate Kishori Pattanaik, former Odisha Sahitya Akademi member Balara Kumar Raut, Mohammad Imran, Sirajuddin Ahmad, Assistant Collector Ashutosh Patra, and several dignitaries.
The vote of thanks was delivered by lecturer Al Bhatch.