Bhubaneswar: Sambad Group, the largest media conglomerate of Odisha, has unveiled the logo of 4th edition of 'Brands of Odisha. Pride of India. Sambad Corporate Excellence Awards 2021'.

Hockey veteran Padma Shri Dilip Tirkey and Sambad Group Chairman Soumya Ranjan Patnaik unveiled the logo at Sambad Bhawan here yesterday.

Speaking at the programme, Tirkey said, "We feel happy and proud when goods and products from your village get recognition in the country as well as overseas. We came to know about business organisations and enterprises after Sambad felicitates those during such event. The media group also acknowledges sports and sportspersons."

The motive behind organising 'The Brands of Odisha. Pride of India' is to honour the devotees of talents, said Sambad Group Chairman Soumya Ranjan Patnaik at the logo launching programme.

"We have tried to continue the programme in different format this year despite COVID-19 infections. Through these awards, our aim is to know the brands, let others know about it, get motivated and encourage others," Patnaik said.

Giving a brief description about the awards, Sambad Group's Managing Director (MD) Monica Nayyar Patnaik said that the 'Brands of Odisha. Pride of India. Sambad Corporate Excellency Awards' has been continuing since 2017 to felicitate the brands born in Odisha. For the 4th edition of the programme, the winners are being selected by an independent Jury.

"There is a steep rise in number of applications to participate at Sambad Corporate Excellence Awards every year," she added.

The awards will be presented at MAYFAIR Convention, Bhubaneswar, on January 15 next year.

Meanwhile, the process for applying for awards has started with launching of the logo. The applicants can apply through www.sambadawards.in at free of cost. The last date for application has been fixed for January 6, 2021. For more details, the applicants can email to [email protected]

This year, the winners will be awarded at five categories -- Brand of the Year - CSR (Platinum, Gold, Silver), Brand of the Year - Large (Platinum, Gold, Silver), Brand of the Year - Medium (Platinum, Gold, Silver), Brand of the Year - Small (Platinum, Gold, Silver) and Brand of the Year - Emerging/Start up (Platinum, Gold, Silver).