Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday felicitated eight persons and a private institution with the Biju Patnaik Sports, Bravery and Social Service Awards.
He conferred the award on para shuttler Pramod Bhagat for his outstanding achievements in world sports events. Bhagat was felicitated with the award with a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh. He also received cash of Rs 30.95 lakh as reward for winning gold medal in BWF World Para Badminton Championship (singles and double), gold medal (singles and double) in 3rd National Para Badminton Championship 2019 and bronze in mixed double event in 3rd National Para Badminton Championship 2019.
Besides, during the programme at the Jayadev Bhawan here, sprint queen Dutee Chand was rewarded Rs 6.67 lakh for winning gold medal in 100-metre event in the 30th World University Games.
Three weightlifters, Bhakta Ram Desti, Jhili Dalbehera and Senha Soren, received reward of Rs 1.33 lakh, Rs 4 lakh and Rs 83,000, respectively, for their outstanding performances in international events. While Desti was rewarded for gold medal in 49-kg youth U17 Championship 2019, Jhili received the amount for gold medal in 45-kg women event, Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2019 and Soren was felicitated for silver medal in 45-kg junior U20 women event in the same event. Babulu Munda received Rs 42,000 for winning silver medal in Junion Asian Wushu Championship this year.
Besides, the CM conferred the Biju Patnaik Bravery Award on little girl Srimati Bhadra from Ghantapada in Angul district for her chivalry. She received the award carrying Rs 1-lakh cash prize.
Leading private university KIIT University founded was conferred the Biju Patnaik Sports Award for best contribution to promotion of sports and games.
Moreover, six personalities including Radhakant Tripathy, Badri Mishra, Mahendra Kumar Joshi, Kamakshya Prasad Majhi, Ram Narayan Dash and Abdul Rahman Khan were awarded the Biju Patnaik State Award for social service. They received Rs 25,000 in cash prize each.