The Odisha Minority Forum (OMF) held an emergent meeting here on Tuesday and appointed Sasmit Patra as its president. The post had fallen vacant after the demise of his father Dr Swarupananda Patra, who was known nationally and internationally for his role in safeguarding the rights and liberties of the minorities in Odisha.
Dr Sasmit Patra has been working with the OMF for the past decade in various capacities. His late grandfather Reverend Sadananda Patra was the Principal of the United Theological School, Cuttack and a highly regarded Christian leader. Member representatives from all the 30 districts of the State pledged their support and cooperation to Dr Sasmit Patra and urged him to work with a vision to build a communally-tolerant and secular society.