Bhubaneswar: Pandit Nilamani Vidyaratna was a patriot, freedom fighter, social worker, litterateur and editor. He was the patron of Odia language literature. His efforts to create a separate Utkal Pradesh have remembered him as a key architect of this movement. He was the unique pioneer of renaissance in Odisha,” Badamba MLA Debi Prasad Mishra said.
Shri Mishra was the Chief Guest at the state-level birth anniversary function organised jointly by the Department of Information and Public Relations and the State Level Pandit Nilamani Smriti Sansad (Bhubaneswar) at Jayadev Bhawan here this evening.
Pravat Kumar Tripathy, former MLA and President of State Level Pandit Nilamani Vidyaratna Smruti Sansad was the Special Guest and spoke on the achievements and achievements of Pandit Nilamani Vidyaratna and said that his contribution to the history of Odisha will be remembered.
Kasturi Mohapatra, Editor of Utkal Prasanga and Odisha Review, was the guest of honour and highlighted the biography and contribution of Vidyaratna.
Ashwini Kumar Mishra, Former Secretary, Odisha Sahitya Akademi was the keynote speaker and highlighted the life of Pandit Nilamani Vidyaratna and described him as an outspoken and fearless personality and said that Pandit Nilamani Vidyaratna has given importance to editing Odia magazines and editing pure textbooks.
He has strengthened Odia Asmita by working in different parts of the state. Along with many social reforms, he later paved the way for the movement for the formation of a separate State of Odisha.
At the outset of the meeting, the guests paid floral tributes to the portrait of Pandit Vidyaratna, while Surendranath Parida, Director (Technical), Department of Information and Public Relations delivered the welcome address and said that Nilamani Vidyarani will be remembered by the Odia with reverance.
State-level PanditNilamani Vidyarani Smruti Sansad Secretary K. Sarangi proposed a vote of thanks. Information Officer Rosalin Sahu coordinated the programme.
The event was graced by Santosh Kumar Das, Additional Director, Department of Information & Public Relations, Sucheta Priyadarshini, Assistant Director and many senior officers and employees, as well as students, media representatives and intellectuals.