The Ganjam Zila Vikas Manch, a well-known socio-cultural organisation, celebrated its 14th annual day at the Utkal Ashram here on Saturday with Berhampur University Vice-Chancellor Prof Deepak Kumar Behera as the chief guest.
Prof Behera stressed the need of inclusive growth and long-term development plans for the district in which the Manch can play a significant role. He emphasised on micro-level planning of any proposal which if submitted to the university can be considered. The meeting was chaired by Manch president Bhukant Sahu.
Prof Bishnu Charan Choudhury, who was the chief speaker, urged the people of Ganjam district to put their collective efforts for an all-round development of the district which has rich resources and can grow in myriad dimensions to boost its economy.
Manch advisor advocate Siba Prasad Mishra called upon the people of the district to patch up their differences and join a mass movement across party lines to achieve legitimate goals as the district has been neglected by the successive Governments. Senior advocate Sisir Padhi strongly argued for establishment a permanent Bench of the Odisha High Court at Brahmapur which is a long-cherished desire of the people of southern Odisha.
Manch general secretary Dillip Kumar Choudhury delivered his introductory address and read out the annual report. Among others, Utkal Ashram vice-president Siddharth Sankar Padhi, advocate Sudhansu Sekhar Panda, former OSSTA president Govind Das, Rajendra Panda, Manojkant Das, Susama Panda and Basant Pattnaik attended the meeting.
Prof Prahallad Panda was honoured with the Bhakta Kabi Ramadas Smruti Saman and Kabichandan Niranjan Rath with the Suresh Sahoo Smruti Samman. The winners of the drawing and essay competitions were honoured with the Jaganath Das Smruti Samman, named in honour of eminent pharmacist and chief architect of the Mohuda Pharmacy College of Brahmapur.