Four Odia Individuals Awarded Padma Shri for Contributions in Arts, Literature, and Medicine.
Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of Republic Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India announced the Padma Awards on Saturday evening. A total of 139 distinguished individuals will be honored with the prestigious Padma Awards for their significant contributions in the fields of arts, social service, medicine, literature, sports, and more. Among the awardees are four eminent personalities from Odisha: Adwaita Charan Gadnayak, Durga Charan Ranbir, Pratibha Satpathy, and Dr. Ashok Kumar Mohapatra.
Odisha's Honorees:
- Adwaita Charan Gadnayak: Renowned for his excellence in sculpture, Adwaita Charan Gadnayak was born in the village of Neulapoi in Dhenkanal district. He completed his undergraduate education at BK College of Arts and Crafts in Bhubaneswar and earned a postgraduate degree from the College of Art in New Delhi. His notable works include the Netaji Subhas Bose statue near India Gate and the 'Dandi March' sculpture at Raj Ghat in New Delhi.
- Durga Charan Ranbir: A distinguished figure in the field of Odissi dance, Durga Charan Ranbir has over two decades of teaching experience. He is a disciple of Guru Deba Prasad Das and has taught in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, New Delhi, and the United States. He runs an institution in Bhubaneswar, and his students receive scholarships from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
- Pratibha Satpathy: An acclaimed literary figure, Pratibha Satpathy was born on November 27, 1945. She published her first poetry collection, 'Ama Kavita,' in 1962, and has since released numerous poetry collections. Her works have been translated into Hindi and English, and she has received several national and regional awards, including the Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Award.
- Professor (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mohapatra: A prominent name in the medical field, Dr. Ashok Kumar Mohapatra was born on December 29, 1952, in Brahmagiri, near Puri. He has a simple lifestyle and completed his MBBS from MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, in 1975. From 1983 to 2017, he served in various capacities at AIIMS, New Delhi.
The announcement of the Padma Awards is a testament to the exceptional talents and contributions of these individuals. The people of Odisha take pride in their achievements and honor their dedication to their respective fields.
