Bhubaneswar February 16: On the 147th Birth Anniversary of eminent freedom fighter Jagabandhu Singh, the Odisha Sahitya Akademi and the Jagabandhu Singh Memorial Trust conferred two awards at a function held in the Department of Odia Studies at Utkal University here.
The 9th Jagabandhu Singh Smruti Samman was conferred on eminent historian Anil Dhir while the Jagabandhu Singh Yuba Gabeshak Samman was bestowed on Dr. Ramesh Malik.
The award had earlier been conferred on eminent researchers which include Acharya Bhabahananda, Dr. Aurobindo Patnaik, Sailaja Rabi, Dr. Asit Mohanty, Dr. Debendra Das, Dr. Gouranga Charan Das and Sarangadhara Raiguru.
Eminent personalities like Dr. Asit Mohanty, Dr. Itirani Samanta, Dr. Lalatendu Dash Mohapatro, Dr. Ramesh Malik and Kashinath Sahoo graced the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Anil Dhir described Jagabandhu Singh as a multi-faceted personality who besides being a lawyer and freedom fighter, was also a historian, astrologer, and researcher.
“He was a visionary with foresight, his book ‘Prachin Utkala’ was among the first work which highlighted the glorious history of the State and instilled a pride of place among the readers,” said Dhir
Kashinath Sahoo, a member of the Eastern India Philatelic Association said that all efforts will be made to get a commemorative stamp issued by India Post during his 150th Birth Anniversary.
Sujata Singh, the great-granddaughter of Jagabandhu Singh and a member of the Trust, assured that all efforts will be made to fulfill the visions of her grandfather.
