The Mayurbhanj Sahitya Parishad, a premier literary organisation of the district, held its 38th annual function here on Sunday.
The day-long glittering celebration, which was organised in the conference hall of the local MPK Girls' High School, was presided over by Parishad president Padmanabh Sahu. Secretary Manoj Kumar Dalbehera read out the annual report, while the organisation's vice president Kaveri Mishra delivered the welcome speech.
INTACH chapter Mayurbhanj president Major Raveendra Kumar Parida was the chief guest on the occasion, while veteran poet Brundavan Dash and "Mayur Sahitya Sansad Patrika" Editor Nirod Sundar Jena were the guests of honour.
Parishad mouthpiece "Mayurakshee" and Padmanabh Sahu's story-book entitled "Doora Akashara Tara" were released on this occasion. Four eminent literary activists, Biraja Devi, Bhagvat Panda, Kunja Behari Padhi and Priyanath Pani, were also felicitated at the function.
While Biraja and Panda were given "Mayurbhanj Sahitya Samman", Padhi and Pani received "Sarojini-Prafulla Otta Smruti Samman" and "Laxmi Kumari Das Yuva Sahitya Puraskar" respectively. A well-attended "Kavi Sammelan" and a prize-distribution ceremony for the winners of different literary competitions held earlier were also a part of the function. Those who actively participated in the day-long literary celebration include Samarendra Basa, Jayant Dwari, Banaja Mohanty, Sashidhar Biswal, Shiulal Mohanta, Gopal Sao, Sumita Behera, Ajit Kumar Kabat, Basanti Lata Mohapatra, Ajit Panigrahi and Kaivalya Prasad Mohapatra.