PM Modi meets Padma awardees in Odisha, acknowledges their 'rich contributions'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Padma awardees from Odisha during his visit to the state on Saturday reported news agency ANIDuring my visit to Odisha yesterday I had the opportunity to meet some of the distinguished Padma awardees from the state who have made rich contributions to our nation at the grassroots level PM Modi posted on X on SundayThe Prime Minister said that he was glad to have met Haladhar Nag who was conferred the Padma Shri in 2016Glad to have met Shri Haladhar Nag Ji who was conferred the Padma Shri in 2016 His unwavering perseverance and profound dedication to preserving and promoting Sambalpuri and Odia literature are very inspiring His passion for literature ignites a sense of pride for our linguistic traditions he said in a post on XAnother Padma awardee the PM met was Jitendra Haripal who was conferred the Padma Shri in 2017Shri Jitendra Haripal was conferred the Padma Shri in 2017 for his exemplary contribution to music His rendition of Rangabati is widely admired Glad to have met him in Odisha PM Modi said on XPM Modi also met Binod Kumar Pasayat who has been conferred the Padma Shri this yearShri Binod Kumar Pasayat Ji of Sambalpur is a distinguished lyricist playwright and poet His contribution to the Sambalpuri language is invaluable He stands as an eminent litterateur of Odisha having been writing for seven decades He has been conferred the Padma Shri this year the Prime Minister said in a post on XPM Modi said that Bhagabat Pradhans dedication to preserving and popularising Sabda Nrutya over five decades is truly inspiringHappy to have met Shri Bhagabat Pradhan Ji in Odisha His dedication to preserving and popularising Sabda Nrutya over five decades is truly inspiring People like him have made us culturally richer and also ensured that the youth remain connected with their roots Congratulated him on being conferred the Padma Shri this year PM Modi posted on XThe Prime Minister said that it was a privilege to meet Krishna Patel a celebrated Sambalpuri folk singer whom the Government of India had conferred the Padma Shri in 2023Privileged to meet Dr Krishna Patel Ji a celebrated Sambalpuri folk singer whose mesmerising voice has resonated for over four decades Her contribution to our cultural heritage is immense The Government of India had conferred the Padma Shri on her in 2023 he said on XOn meeting Mitrabhanu Gountia who got Padma Shri in 2020 PM said that it was an enriching experienceMeeting Shri Mitrabhanu Gountia Ji was an enriching experience His versatility as a dramatist poet lyricist and novelist has left an indelible mark enriching our cultural tapestry He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2020 he posted on XPM Modi during his to Odisha on Saturday also unveiled development projects worth more than Rs 68000 crore aimed at boosting the energy sector involving natural gas coal and power generation apart from important projects of road railway and higher education sector in Odisha reported ANIHe also took a walkthrough of the IIM Sambalpur model and a photo exhibition showcased on the occasion reported ANIWith inputs from PTI