The farmers of Odisha are in distress and their occupation is deteriorating day by day due to the step-motherly attitude of the State Government for the past two decades, expressed Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan.
He further said farmers are committing suicide for their crop loss in which they invest large amount borrowing from different sources. This apart, large scale and medium scale industrial units are shutting down day by day for bankruptcy. He was speaking as chief guest in the 17th anniversary of ‘Athagarh Prahari’, a mega weekly newspaper published from here.
Identification of media men has hampered in the State due to non-cooperation of the owners. The condition of most of the mediapersons particularly working in rural areas is very deplorable, said Sanjeev Mishra, Editor of News World Odisha who attended as chief speaker.
Guests of honour Dr Krupasindhu Panda, cancer specialist and lyricist cum film story writer Dr Rajani Ranjan also spoke. Educationist Bichitrananda Tripathy, litterateur Rabin Khandayatray, social activist Bhagirathi Nanda, Editor of "Sabha Samiti" advocate Prasant Pattnaik , Amarendu Mohanty, journalists Santosh Barik and Kailash Sahani , Odia film hero Devraj and heroine Chinmayee Priyadarsini were felicitated.
Sushree Srilekha Das coordinated the programme. Editor Babita Das read out the editorial report. Chief Editor Naliniprava Pattnaik presided. Saradananda Dash chanted vedic slokas.