The Hindu Ekata Manch organized a solemn memorial meeting at Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, on Sunday to commemorate the 8th death anniversary of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The programme was held with national honour and paid rich tributes to the towering statesman, poet and nationalist leader.
Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani was the Chief Speaker, while Swami Brahmananda Saraswati attended as the Chief Guest. Dr. Rabinarayan Behera, MP, Jajpur, and Sujit Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP, were present as special guests and recalled Vajpayee’s immense contribution to the nation.
Among other distinguished guests were Babaji Biswanath Das, Sannyasini Arundhati Devi, Guru Kalyan Mahapatra, Chief Editor of Samaya, Dr. (Prof.) Bishnupriya Ota, Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samantaray, Chief Adviser of Hindu Ekata Manch and Editor-in-Chief of Paryabekhyak, & The KALINGA CHRONICLE, Dr. Niranjan Sahu, and Dr. Surendra Mohan Mishra. They paid floral tributes and shared their memories and reflections on Vajpayee’s life, vision and contribution to India.
As part of the programme, 42 meritorious students from 21 schools of Bhubaneswar, who had secured A1 grades in the Class X examination, were felicitated. The guests presented certificates and copies of the Bhagavad Gita to the students, encouraging them to pursue excellence while remaining rooted in Indian values and culture.
A commemorative souvenir titled “Atal Darshan” was also unveiled by the distinguished guests. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the fields of music and art, Ms. Chandra Kanti Mohanty was felicitated at the function.
The meeting was presided over by Pradipta Kumar Jena, retired police officer and State President of Hindu Ekata Manch. Dr. Prabhat Kumar Sahu presented the editorial report of the organisation.
A large number of office-bearers and members of Hindu Ekata Manch from different districts attended the programme. Among them were Naren Jena, President, Jajpur District; Dr. Chintamani Mishra, President, Khordha District; Dr. Laxmi Prasad Mishra, Secretary, Bhubaneswar; Surajit Mohanty, Vice-President, Bhubaneswar; Sushil Pal, State Coordinator; Rabinarayan Sahu, Secretary, Dhenkanal District; Dr. Padma Lochan Nayak, President, Cuttack District; Suresh Choudhury, President, Jagatsinghpur District; Debabrata Pattnaik, President, Puri District; Pitabas Barik, Founder Member; Akshay Kumar Sahu, Life Member; Tejpal Dhenuka, Working President, Cuttack District; Agani Nayak, Vice-President, Cuttack District; and Prof. Aditya Pratap Dhal, Adviser, among others.
Several other members, including Sunit Mund, Braja Kishore Nayak, Rosalini Bastia, Braja Kishore Jena, Dr. Akshay Kumar Mishra, Sarat Chandra Swain, Rabinarayan Mahapatra, Rabinarayan Swain, Ratikanta Baral, Arupananda Swain, Renubala Rout and Jayanta Kumar Das, along with a large number of professors, lecturers, monks, scholars and intellectuals, participated in the memorial programme and paid their respects to the former Prime Minister.
The programme was conducted by Akshaya Swain and Lecturer Sasmita Panigrahi, District Coordinator, Khordha, who jointly shouldered the responsibility of anchoring the event.
The gathering highlighted Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s enduring legacy of nationalism, democratic values, statesmanship, social harmony and service to the nation, with speakers emphasizing the continuing relevance of his ideals for the younger generation.
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