Utkal Pratibha Samman 2025: Honoring the Luminaries of Odisha’s Heritage
ମାତୃଭୂମି ମାତୃ ଭାଷାରେ ମମତା ଯା ହୃଦେ ଜନମି ନାହିଁ,
ତାକୁ ଯଦି ଜ୍ଞାନୀ ଗଣ ରେ ଗଣିବା ଅଜ୍ଞାନ ରହିବେ କାହିଁ
-ସ୍ୱଭାବକବି ଗଙ୍ଗାଧର ମେହେର
The land of Odisha has seen through the ages the rise and fall of mighty empires and kingdoms and the raising of gigantic monuments in stone with powerful religious ferments. This ancient land, once known as Kalinga and later as Utkala, has nurtured exceptional talent across generations, producing luminaries who have enriched its cultural tapestry with their extraordinary contributions. It is in this spirit of honouring excellence that the Utkal Pratibha Samman stands as a beacon of recognition and celebration.
The Utkal Pratibha Samman 2025 emerges as a prestigious confluence where tradition meets contemporary brilliance. This grand celebration pays homage to individuals whose exceptional talents have illuminated Odisha’s cultural landscape while positioning the state prominently on the global map. The awards ceremony honours masters of various fields – literature, performing arts, visual arts, science, social service, and entrepreneurship – recognising those who embody the essence of Odisha’s rich heritage while pioneering innovation.
A Spectacular Celebration at ODM
In a magnificent display of cultural pride, the ODM Educational Group hosted the prestigious “Utkala Pratibha Samman-2025” ceremony on Utkala Divas at their Patia campus. The event brought together Odisha’s finest minds and talents, conferring distinguished accolades upon 11 extraordinary individuals whose contributions have significantly elevated the state’s cultural and intellectual landscape.
Law & Excise Minister Shri Prithviraj Harichandan graced the occasion as chief guest, alongside Justice Aditya Kumar Mahapatra of the Odisha High Court, who attended as guest of honour. The celebrations commenced with an auspicious inauguration by Dr. Satyabrata Minaketan, the visionary founder of ODM Educational Group, setting the tone for an evening of cultural reverence and excellence.
Honouring Excellence Across Domains
The distinguished honorees represented the magnificent diversity of Odisha’s talent:
Padma Shri Pratibha Satapathy (renowned literary figure) and celebrated sculptor Padma Shri Adwaita Charan Gadanayak received the well-deserved recognition alongside Dr. Keshav Chandra Satapathy (Regional Director, D.A.V. Educational Group). The athletic prowess of Odisha found representation in Indian Hockey Team Vice-captain Amit Rohidas, while Ollywood sensation Sabyasachi Mishra was honoured for his cultural contributions.
Eminent social worker Jagdananda received accolades for humanitarian contributions, joined by prominent physician Dr Shankar Ramchandani, Prameya Group Editor Gopal Krishna Mohapatra, IPS officer (ADG) Saumendra Priyadarshi, Industrialist and Entrepreneur Priyadarshi Nanu Pani, and Sambad Executive Director Tanya Patnaik – each a beacon of excellence in their respective fields.
The Profound Purpose
Behind the prestigious Utkal Pratibha Samman lies a profound purpose that transcends the ceremonial aspects of an awards function. At its heart, this celebration embodies Odisha’s deep reverence for excellence and its commitment to preserving cultural heritage while embracing progress. The motivation stems from a collective desire to honour those exceptional individuals whose brilliance illuminates Odisha’s intellectual and cultural landscape.
In his address, Dr Minaketan eloquently captured this vision: “Utkala Pratibha Samman is committed to identifying outstanding talents of Utkala and widely publicising their achievements through our dedicated mediums.” This recognition is driven by the understanding that acknowledging excellence inspires future generations. When young talents see their role models celebrated, they envision possibilities for their own journeys.
The Samman serves as a bridge connecting Odisha’s storied past with its promising future. The emotional essence of the event lies in pride—pride in belonging to a culture that values intellectual and artistic achievement. There’s a sense of continuity as traditional values find expression through contemporary excellence.
A highlight of the ceremony was the launch of “Utkal Pratibha-2025,” a comprehensive magazine documenting the achievements of Odisha’s luminaries and cultural heritage. The playing of “Bande Utkala Janani” evoked a shared identity, reminding all present that individual achievements strengthen collective heritage.
A Legacy of Cultural Pride
As an integral part of Utkala Diwas celebrations, this event commemorates the historical formation of Odisha as a separate state on April 1, 1936—a victory of linguistic and cultural identity. By choosing this auspicious occasion to honour contemporary luminaries, the Samman creates a powerful continuum between past triumphs and present achievements.
School Director Indumati Ray, School Management Committee President Prof. (Dr.) P.K. Das and Chief Executive Officer Swoyan Satyendu managed the proceedings with immaculate precision, while the attending dignitaries unanimously lauded ODM’s exceptional efforts in preserving and promoting Odia language, literature, and cultural heritage.
The ceremony witnessed attendance from numerous educationists, cultural personalities, and distinguished citizens, all united in their appreciation for ODM’s initiative to celebrate Odisha’s excellence. This annual celebration by ODM Educational Group has evolved into one of Odisha’s most respected platforms for recognising excellence across diverse fields.
Ultimately, the Utkal Pratibha Samman 2025 stands as a testament to Odisha’s commitment to recognising and nurturing excellence. It represents hope—hope that excellence will continue to flourish, that innovation will remain rooted in cultural values, and that Odisha’s unique voice will resonate ever more powerfully in the global conversation of ideas and creativity.
