Odisha Athletes Conferred With Biju Patnaik Sports Awards

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik conferred the Biju Patnaik Awards for Sports, Bravery and State Award for Social Service on the occasion of National Sports Day today.

Ace para shuttler Pramod Bhagat of Bargarh district won the Biju Patnaik Sports Award, which was received by another para badminton player, Dileswar Rao on his behalf. Bhagat could not receive the award today as he was in New Delhi to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award 2019 from President Ram Nath Kovind.

Other players from the state who brought laurels by winning medals at different national and international events were also given cash prizes by the Chief Minister.

Teenager Srimati Bhadra of Angul district was given the Bravery Award for saving her friend from a train mishap. "I am extremely happy that I received the prestigious award from the Chief Minister for saving my friend," said Bhadra.

Patnaik also conferred the Biju Patnaik State Award for Social Service on Radhakant Tripathy, Badri Mishra, Mahendra Kumar Joshi, Kamakshya Prasad Majhi, Ram Narayan Dash and Abdul Rahman Khan for their outstanding contribution to the field of social work.

"I feel very happy for receiving the award from the State government for my social work. Now at the age of 62, I feel that I have done something for the society," said Badri Mishra.