Pravasi Odia Diwas Celebrated in New Delhi with Cultural Pride and Awards

Bhubaneswar:  The Pravasi Odia Vikas Samiti (POVS) celebrated the 12th edition of Pravasi Odia Diwas and Bisuba Milana with great enthusiasm at the Bharatiya Jansanchar Sansthan Auditorium in New Delhi, showcasing Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and honouring the achievements of distinguished Odias across the globe.

The event was marked by vibrant performances of Odissi and Sambalpuri dance, along with the serving of traditional Odia delicacies and pana, reflecting the spirit of Odia unity and pride.

Suresh Jain, National Organising Secretary of POVS and guest of honour, stressed the significance of Odisha’s culture and spirituality in contributing to a stronger India. “If we want to make Odisha a model of Vishwaguru Bharat, we must preserve our state’s cultural and spiritual legacy,” he remarked. Jain also lauded Odisha’s unparalleled contributions in the fields of art, literature, and science.

POVS President Surya Narayan Mishra commended the global achievements of Odias, citing notable figures like Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Vice-President Chinmay Mohanty paid tribute to historic Odia icons such as Baji Rout and Dharmapada for their sacrifice and dedication.

Several eminent personalities were felicitated during the ceremony. Former J&K DGP Rashmi Ranjan Swain was honoured with the Pravasi Odia Samman. The Pravasi Odia Ratna Award was conferred upon Debashish Satpathy, Chief General Manager of NBCC, and renowned artist Kanhu Behera. The Pravasi Arogya Gaurav Samman went to Dr. Vishnu Prasad Panigrahi, while environmentalist Pradeep Kumar Das received the Pravasi Sabuj Samman.

The annual POVS magazine, edited by Dr. Sailendra Swain, was also released on the occasion. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Priyadarshi Bala, Joint General Secretary of POVS.

Key contributors to the event’s success included Susanta Mohapatra, Piyush Mohapatra, Malaya Pradhan, and Santosh Rout, among others. The celebration stood as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Odia diaspora and their commitment to preserving their cultural identity.