Bhubaneswar: The 3rd Prerana Samman function was held at Press Club of Odisha here on Monday.
On this occasion, as many as 21 students with disabilities from 10 districts – Khurdha, Cuttack, Subarnapur, Sundergarh, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bargarh, Ganjam and Deogarh – were felicitated.
Some exceptional achievers like Swagat Patnaik, the first divyang Odia IIT qualifier; first law student with cerebral palsy Shaista Parween and Padmashri Aruna Mohanty (Head-Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar) were also felicitated on the occasion.
Gurujee Paramahamsa Prajnanananda Ji Maharaj, Spiritual Head, Kriya Yoga International, Hariharananda Gurukulam, Puri, Niten Chandra, Principal Secretary, Dept. SSEPwD, Padmashri Pratibha Ray, eminent writer of Odisha, Padmashri Aruna Mohanty, Head-Orissa Dance Academy attended the felicitation ceremony as guests.
The other dignitaries at the function included Pratap Sarangi, senior BJP leader, Maj. Gen. B.K. Mohapatra, Chairman- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Poly Patnaik, Principal- Mother’s Public School, Tarakanta Parida, Secretary- Odisha Lalit Kala Academy and Snigdha Mishra, BEO.
Prerana Samman is an effort to inspire students with disabilities, who have secured 75% or above mark in the matriculation examination. This is a state level programme which encourages both the awardees and other children with disabilities to strive for excellence.
Ms Kalinga