Pranath Samman conferred on Narayan

BHUBANESWAR: Tributes were paid to eminent freedom fighter, writer and educationist Prananath Patnaik on his 47th death anniversary here on Thursday evening.

Addressing a function organised by State Prananath Memorial Committee, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout recalled the struggle and sacrifice of Patnaik who was also a pioneer of Kishan Movement in the State. “Present day politicians and youth should follow his honesty, integrity and ideals,” he added.

Inaugurating the function, Finance Minister Sashi Bhushan Behera said the freedom fighter spent 12 years in prison during the Independence struggle and was arrested 10 times. Efforts should be made to upgrade PN Autonomous College, founded by Patnaik, into a university, he said.

On the occasion, Prananath Samman was conferred on writer Dr Narayan Satpathy, former administrator Ashok Tripathy, social activist Rabi Dash, singer Sekhar Ghosh, Odissi dancer Minakhi Behera and artist Gourang Barik.