Five from Odisha Get Padma Awards from President

New Delhi: Five eminent personalities from Odisha today received the Padma Shri awards from President Ram Nath Kovind at a civil investiture ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

President Kovind presented Padma Shri to Prof Aditya Prasad Dash for Science and Engineering. Vice Chancellor of the AIPH University, Bhubaneswar, Dash has significantly contributed in the field of vector-borne and tropical diseases affecting the marginalised communities.

Srimad Baba Balia has received the Padma Shri for Social Work. Founder of Sishu Ananta Ashram and Ananta Balia Trust, Odisha, his philanthropic works include working on women empowerment, environment protection and blood donation.

Dr Shyamamani Devi has received the award for contributions to the systematic development of Odissi music and the codification of its grammar. She has enthralled audiences with her over 4,000 songs in a career spanning more than 7 decades.

Narasingha Prasad Guru has received the award for contribution to the field of literature. A renowned litterateur of Koshali language in Odisha, he compiled a dictionary called ‘Koshali-Odia Abhidhan’ consisting of 17,000 Koshali words.

Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra was conferred with the Padma Shri posthumously. A civil servant, he succumbed to COVID related complications while working through his illness to coordinate oxygen supplies in the country during the second wave of COVID-19.

The President presented a total of eight Padma Bhushan and 54 Padma Shri Awards at the ceremony.