The 98th birthday of Gandhian, social worker, prohibitionist and columnist Padma Charan Nayak was celebrated at the Red Cross Bhawan here on Monday.
Nayak, who attended the meeting, said he has forgotten about his ripe old age and health due to his unflinching devotion to the movement for a liquor-free India and Odisha in which he has been involved since decades. “Anyone who wants a still longer life for me should associate himself with this mission,” he said.
Sailaja Rabi, in his speech, observed that the role of “high commands” has ruined the sociopolitical fabric in the country.
Bijay Kumar Swain presided over the meeting and Padma Charan Nayak Abhinandan Samiti convener Dillip Dashsharma made introductory remarks.
Linguist Debi Prasanna Pattanayak, legislator Sashi Bhusan Behera, former MP Archana Nayak and journalist Pradosh Patnaik spoke at the meeting. Aparna Nayak read out a felicitation note and Malay Tripathy offered a vote of thanks.