Soumya Ranjan Patnaik gets ‘Utkal Sambadika Ratna’ Award

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Nov 17:

Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, editor of ‘Sambad’, the leading vernacular daily in Odisha, was conferred with the ‘Utkal Sambadika Ratna’ award for his immense contrbution to the media on the occasion by National Journalist Welfare Board on the occasion of Press Day on Sunday.

In his acceptance speech, Patnaik called upon journalists to create their own identity without getting influenced by the other three pillars of democracy and prove the uniqueness of the profession.

A Srinivas Rao, vice-president of Naba Bharat ; Jayaprakash Rao, Editor of Chamatkar Aaina; Sanjay Rai, Editor, Ishaan Times; Surendra Goswami, Editor Lokashruti; Prof Ranjan Mohapatra, editor-in-chief, CSR Vision; Vikas Sadashiv Mahadik, Editor of Lokshakti; Amish S Nayak, Editor Praja Samachar; Renu Mohapatra, Editor Afro-Asian; Manoj Sinde, Editor Saamna Times; V Ramchandra Rao Vadlani, Editor Bay News were conferred with ‘Rashtriya Sambadika Gaurab’.

Talented student Mudhurima was awarded the ‘Rabi Mohanty memorial award’ and Chhatra Kalian Kumar Sahoo received ‘Gopal Mishra memorial award’. 15 senior journalists (above 65 yrs) also received their pension on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Union minister for Tribal Welfare Mr. Jual Oram said journalists should realise the significant role they play in society and act accordingly.

Minister for school and mass education in the Government of Odisha Debi Prasad Mishra termed mass media as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the public and advised them to focus on truth beyond everything else while reporting news.

Chief Guest Pinaki Mishra and Rajya Sabha MP Anubhav Mohanty emphasized Freedom of Press.

Odisha’s Minister of Higher Education Pradeep panigrahy inaugurated the first leg of the event. MLA Priyadarshi Mishra graced the occasion as chief guest while MP Baishnab Parida was the Chief Speaker. Sudhanshu Sekhar Dhada of Doordarshan, Bhagirathi Mishra of All India Radio, Rajaram Satapathy, bureau  chief Times of India; Dillip Satapathy, deputy resident editor of Business Standard; Sidharth kanungo, manager PTI and Trideb Narayan Mohanty of Amity college were also present.