On the occasion of the 14th death anniversary of Swami Harihar Ram, Koraput-based social worker Akshya Mohanty was conferred with the Swami Harihar Ram Seva Ratna award on Thursday for his outstanding contribution in Sarvodaya movement and social service for the tribal people of Koraput and Kalahandi.
The Neheru Seva Sangh has instituted the award which is named after the founder of the Sangha, Swami Harihar Ram.
Mohanty was felicitated with a memento, citation and shawl by former Utkal University of Culture Vice-Chancellor Narendra Kumar Mishra.
Speaker Dr Haraprasad Parichha Patnaik reminded the children about the fertile land Banpur for producing poets like Godavaris Mishra and social workers like Harihar Ram.
Former Minister Dr Debendranath Mansingh spoke on ancient history of Banpur and remembered social welfare activates of Harihar.
Dr Basanta Kumar Panda and Pandit Satyabadi Tripathy were felicitated for their selfless contribution towards free medication to the downtrodden people and Odia literature respectively.
Vice-president Prof Rankanatha Hota presided over the meeting.
Secretary Sarojini Dash and treasurer Om Prakash Agarwal shared their
experiences with Swami Harihar.
Kedareswar Nanda, Balamukunda Das and Pradeep Das also spoke, among others.
Swagat Dash Mohapatra was felicitated for securing highest mark in the HSC Examination-2016 in Banpur-Chilika area.