The 143rd foundation day of the Arya Samaj established by Maharshi Dayananda was celebrated at the Swami Brahmananda Bhavan, Chandrasekharpur here on Sunday.
The programme organised by the Utkal Arya Pratinidhi Sabha was attended by former Speaker in the State Assembly Dr Sarat Kumar Kar as chief guest. Kar said the Arya Samaj was a movement initiated by Maharshi Dayananda in 1975 was meant for bringing social and religious reforms.
Sabha president Aryakumar Jnanendra said Maharshi Dayanand was always saying that the Veda’s opinions were his opinion. He said Maharshi Dayanand’s contributions against caste prejudices and towards women’s education are yet to be properly evaluated.
At the outset, a Vedic Jajna was conducted under chairmanship of Pandit Binod Bihari Das. Sita Ballav Mohapatra delivered welcome address. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Nalinikant Rout. On this occasion, noted lawyer and Sanskrit expert Pandit Dibyasingha Mishra was felicitated.