In a colorful function organized at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar on Sunday, Utkal Mahila Samiti felicitated a number of celebrities with Aagamana honor.
Prafulla Samal, Orissa’s Minister for Culture presented the honors and praised the activities of this premier women organization of the State, which is affiliated to National Federation of Indian Women ( NFIW ) founded by personalities like Aruna Asaf Ali in 1956.
Samal appealed the members of the Samiti to collect correct information and give feed back about the success or failure of various Government projects without any bias in order to help in implementation of such schemes and projects and not to allow any corruption at any level.
Prof. Chandraprava Patnaik, Secretary of the Samiti gave the key note address highlighting the activities of the organization. Shakuntala Patnaik, president of the Samiti was in the chair.
Dr, Nirupama Rath, eminent woman leader and physician, who was the founder of Utkal Mahila Samiti , was honored posthumously with “Viswa Netrutwa O Seva Samman”.
Eminent social activist and freedom fighter Nirodprava Patnaik , who was a great inspiration for her poet husband and Communist leader late Ananta Patnaik, was also honoured with “Seva Jyoti” samman.
Veteran novelist and editor Geeta Hota was also honoured with ” Sahitya Jyoti ” samman, when internationally famous Odisi and Chhau dancer and scholar Padmashree Dr. Iliana Schitarist was honored with ” Nrutya Jyoti ” samman for her contribution to popularise Odissi round the globe.
Famous actress Anu Chaudhury was honored in absentia with “Abhinaya Jyoti” in recognition of her contribution in the field of Oriya , Bengali, Telugu and Hindi films. her father received the honor.“Namita Dhal Smruti Samman” was given to Shantilata Mohanty, eminent social activist and educationist.
Dr. Sashiprava Mohanty, a well known medical practitioner and social activist was honoured with ” Swasthya Seva Jyoti ” samman when “Sangita Jyoti” samman was posthumously presented to famous classical singer Nagamani Mohanty .Her husband Harish Chandra Mohanty received the award.
Young but eminent dancer Sawot Joshi was honored with “Yuva Jyoti” samman for his contribution to global popularity of Odissi dance.