A day after his visit to Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the joyous moment of meeting some of the distinguished Padma awardees from the state. Through a tweet, PM Modi hailed all the Padma awardees from Odisha for their rich contributions to our nation at the grassroots level.
During his Odisha visit, PM Modi met Padma Awardees Haladhar Nag, Jitendra Haripal, Binod Kumar Pasayat, Bhagabat Pradhan, Krishna Patel, and Mitrabhanu Gountia on Saturday.
Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) handle, PM Modi wrote, “During my visit to Odisha yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet some of the distinguished Padma awardees from the state who have made rich contributions to our nation at the grassroots level.”
On meeting Haladhar Nag, the PM wrote “Glad to have met Shri Haladhar Nag Ji, who was conferred the Padma Shri in 2016. His unwavering perseverance and profound dedication to preserving and promoting Sambalpuri and Odia literature are very inspiring. His passion for literature ignites a sense of pride for our linguistic traditions.”
PM Modi also heaped praises on Jitendra Haripal and wrote, “Shri Jitendra Haripal was conferred the Padma Shri in 2017 for his exemplary contribution to music. His rendition of Rangabati is widely admired. Glad to have met him in Odisha.”
“Shri Binod Kumar Pasayat Ji of Sambalpur is a distinguished lyricist, playwright, and poet. His contribution to Sambalpuri language is invaluable. He stands as an eminent litterateur of Odisha, having been writing for seven decades. He has been conferred the Padma Shri this year,” he added.
“Happy to have met Shri Bhagabat Pradhan Ji in Odisha. His dedication to preserving and popularising Sabda Nrutya over five decades is truly inspiring. People like him have made us culturally richer and also ensured that the youth remain connected with their roots. Congratulated him on being conferred the Padma Shri this year,” PM Modi shared.
“Privileged to meet Dr. Krishna Patel Ji, a celebrated Sambalpuri folk singer, whose mesmerising voice has resonated for over four decades. Her contribution to our cultural heritage is immense. The Government of India had conferred the Padma Shri on her in 2023,” he added.
“Meeting Shri Mitrabhanu Gountia Ji was an enriching experience. His versatility as a dramatist, poet, lyricist, and novelist has left an indelible mark, enriching our cultural tapestry. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2020,” the PM wrote on his X handle.
Worth mentioning, PM Modi on Saturday visited Odisha and graced the inaugural ceremony of IIM Sambalpur and also dedicated a host of projects worth Rs 68,000 crore in critical sectors like Energy, Roadways, and Railways.