BHUBANESWAR: The 40th edition of ‘Baisakhi Ustav’ was organised by Chinta O Chetna at Rabindra Mandap here Monday.
Governor Ganeshi Lal was the chief guest of the occasion. Surendra Das, secretary general, Chinta O Chetna, Praveen Kala, CGM, SBI and Srikant Mishra, coordinator, Chinta O Chetna, graced the occasion.
The event kick-started with ‘Shree Jagnath Pahandi’ where ‘Ghantuas’, Odissi and Gotipua dancers presented their enchanting performances to appease the divinity. The rhythmic sound of ghantas augmented the spiritual aroma of the atmosphere.
Several eminent personalities from various fields were lauded with Chinta O Chetna National Award 2019. Commissioner of Police Satyajit Mohanty received the award for the field of Police Service, DCP Anup Kumar Sahoo for the field of Police Service, Ram Caritra, DIG, CRPF, Sukumar Sarangi, DIG, BSF Intelligence, in the field of bravery, Bijay Kumar Sahoo, DCP, Police Traffic Service, Bijayini Singh, IIC, in the field of Police service, Umakanta Pradhan, IIC, Airport, Girija Shankar Chakrabarty, IIC, Capital PS, for the field of police service.
Apart from them, Subhadra Devi received the award for literature, Shankar Gupta for mass media, MBS Public school for education and discipline, Nimakanta Routray for Odissi Music, Pulwama Saheed Late Prasanna Kumar Sahoo’s and Saheed Manoj Kumar Behera’s wives, Abhinandan Das for culture, Bibhu Prasad Dash of CRPF for Bravery, Sonali Das for culture and entertainment, Bhabani Shankar Bhuyan for Information Service, Pramod Kumar Biswal for culture service, Raj Bhawan Photographer Manoranjan Mohanty for Photo news, Ananya Kannan for Odissi Dance and Sanjurani Mishra for the field of Primary education. All the awardees were presented with a memento, ‘angabastra’, certificate and bouquets.
Addressing the audience, Governor Lal said, “Baisakhi represents brotherhood, the culture of Jagnathji and above all human love and compassion. The whole world resides inside Utkal Desh as Lord Jagnathji lives here. This is a beautiful state that is unique because of its extraordinary culture and capacity to welcome each and every individual globally. True Baisakhi is the celebration of all the tribals and farmers who are the true ‘Dharohar’ of Odisha as they are the one who feed us.”
“Diversity ends up in unity and that’s the culture Jagannath Mahaprabhu. Whether it’s Shankracharya or any other Godly saint, everyone has showcased the power of oneself through divinity. We must conserve cosmic uniqueness and try to become the Krishna who wipes out the tears of every Sudama in the society. The brahma is one and therefore, the major reason of celebrating so many New year’s throughout the year is to connect to one and other and to make India Akhanda Bharat,” he added.
Kala also stressed on learning from the admirable bravery and patience of the awardees that have made the state proud with their exceptional achievements. Family members of Pulwama martyrs received a rousing reception from the visitors at the event. A book written by Pradeep Kumar Chaudhury titled ‘Sad Guru Sri Shiridi Sai Baba Puja, Upasana O Naba Graha Shanti Bidhan’ was released on the occasion by the governor. A special Odissi dance recital was performed by eminent dancer Aruna Mohanty. The programme was conducted by Mrtunjay Rath.
