Prananath Award given away

BHUBANESWAR: Six distinguished personalities from the fields of art and literature were given away Prananath Award 2011 at the 41st PrananathMemorial Function at Jayadev Bhavan here on Saturday.The six awardees are Pratibha Ray, noted litterateur, Nilamani Behera, actor, Ramahari Mishra, journalist, Gita Patnaik, singer, Tripura Mishra, actress, and Odissi dancer Meera Das.Speaking about freedom fighter Prananath, BJD leader and Rajya Sabha member Pyarimohan Mohapatra said he fought for the rights of farmers and promotion of education. He believed that education was the only way to usher in progress. Behind his fragile appearance, there was a strong resolve, he said adding Prananath spent four years in jail for espousing causes of unprivileged.MP Prasanna Patsani eulogised Prananath in form of a poem. KIIT founder Achyut Samanta asked the audience not just to attend such functions, but to try for imbibing the good qualities that Prananath had. Tourism and Culture Minister PrafullaSamal spoke on how to carry forward the legacy of the revolutionary leader. He made an appeal for installing a statue of Prananth near Sriya Square. Son of Prananath, Pradosh Patnaik and Major Khirod Prasad Mohantyalso spoke.