Balasore, Jan 16 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): The organisation Yuva Balasore will host a two-day Youth Festival and State-Level Talent Award Ceremony titled ‘Utkarsh–2026’ on February 5 and 6 at the local Hari Plaza premises.
Several eminent personalities from across Odisha will be honoured during the ceremony for their outstanding contributions in different fields. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred on Padma Shri Dr Tulasi Munda. The Youth Inspiration Award will be presented to Tanaya Pattnaik. For contributions to literature, Padma Shri Dr Damayanti Beshra will be honoured. Former Eastern Range DIG Pinak Mishra will be recognised for administrative service, while Dillip Bishoi will receive the award for journalism.
In the field of healthcare, Dr Mukunda Chandra Sahu will be honoured. Artist Keshu Das will be recognised for visual arts, vocalist Sourav Bharadwaj for music, and actor Manmaya De for acting. Scientist Dr Shesh Kisan will be honoured for scientific contributions. In sports, former captain of the Indian national football team Niroj Mahanti will receive recognition. Young artist Abhishek Giri, social worker Kamal Chakraborty, educationist Major Dr Abhay Kumar Panda, young entrepreneur Dr Alexander Das, and international dancer Rozalin Sundaray will also be honoured.
Apart from the award ceremony, on February 6, noted Odia singers Manas Pritam, Anjali Dutta, and Bikash Kumar, along with several other talented vocalists, will present live musical performances.
College students will participate in competitions across various categories during the festival. Many distinguished guests are also expected to attend the event, according to information shared by the Utkarsh organising committee.
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