The representatives of The Samaj across the State assembled here to hold the 85th anniversary of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das at the Prajamandal Bhawan premises here.
A seminar ‘The Role of The Samaja in the Development of Odisha’ was also organised to mark the occasion. Inaugurating the function, Urban Development Minister Debi Mishra said Gopabandhu was a rare personality. “His service towards mankind in the fields of education, health and rural
development is always memorable. He deeply observed that news paper is a way to develop awareness among people. So he published The Samaja,” said Mishra. Information and Public Relations, Energy Minister Arun Kumar Sahu said among 4.21 crore people, only 50 lakh are reading news papers.
He said that although the number of newspapers and periodicals is increasing, but the awareness among the readers is not developing. Talking about The Samaja, he said the newspaper is known for impartiality. By imparting reliable information, the Samaj has helped immensely in the upliftment of the common people, he opined.
Among others, Steel and Mines Minister Rajanikanta Singh, former Union Minister KP Singh Deo, Palalahara MlA Rabinarayan Pani and Talcher MlA Brajakishore Pradhan were on the dais. Samaja Pratinidhi Sangh president Maheswar Bal presided, while general secretary Debi Mishra coordinated.