Cuttack: Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, has expressed immense pride and emotion on being conferred the prestigious ‘Kalinga Ratna-2024’ award.
The award was presented by the Honorable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at a Saraswat Sahitya Sabha organized by the Sarala Sahitya Sansad in Cuttack, Odisha.
Shri Pradhan, an Odia himself, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his sentiments, stating that receiving this honor from the hands of President Murmu is a moment he “cannot explain in words.” He emphasized that this recognition is not merely his own, but “belongs to every Odia.”
In his post, he conveyed deep gratitude to the Honorable President, the Sarala Sahitya Sansad, and the Selection Committee for deeming him worthy of such a distinguished award. He highlighted that this day would remain “a memorable day in [his] social and political life.”
The ‘Kalinga Ratna’ award is a significant recognition in Odisha, bestowed upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions at the national or international level in various fields.
The ceremony coincided with the 600th birth anniversary celebration of Adikabi Sarala Das, a revered 15th-century Odia poet. President Smt.Murmu’s visit to her home state included several key engagements, such as attending convocations at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and Ravenshaw University, alongside gracing this culturally significant event.
This award underscores Dharmendra Pradhan’s continued contributions and prominence, not just in the political arena but also as a proud son of Odisha.