Bhubaneswar, August 20, 2026: The 82nd birth anniversary of former Prime Minister of India, Late Rajiv Gandhi, was observed with a grand Rajiv Gandhi Education and Service Award programme at Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. The programme was jointly organised by the Odisha Rajiv Gandhi Students Forum, Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle and Yadi, under the chairmanship of Students Forum State President Satyabrata Nayak.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Bhakta Charan Das attended the programme as the Chief Guest, while Odisha Congress in-charge Lalji Desai was the Chief Speaker. Congress Legislature Party Leader Ramachandra Kadam, senior Congress leader and former Minister Suresh Kumar Routray, former AIIMS Bhubaneswar Director and former SOA Vice-Chancellor Padma Shri Dr. Ashok Mahapatra, Odisha Congress co-in-charge J.T. Kusum Kumar, and senior journalist and Editor of Paryabekhyak and The Kalinga Chronicle, Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samantaray, attended as distinguished guests.
Addressing the gathering, PCC President Bhakta Charan Das described Rajiv Gandhi as one of the principal architects of modern India. He said Rajiv Gandhi’s sacrifice, dedication and martyrdom would remain etched in the nation’s memory forever. Despite belonging to a distinguished political family, Rajiv Gandhi led a simple and ordinary life and worked as a pilot while his mother, Indira Gandhi, was Prime Minister.
Das said the younger generation and students have much to learn from Rajiv Gandhi’s vision and contribution. He highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s role in lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years and his initiatives in information technology, telecommunications, administrative reforms and education, including the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.
Lalji Desai said the foundation of India’s digital revolution was laid during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure. At a time when the use of computers faced strong opposition, Rajiv Gandhi envisioned their extensive use from villages to Parliament, he said. Desai added that fulfilling Rajiv Gandhi’s unfinished vision for the 21st century remains a collective responsibility.
Dr. Ashok Mahapatra described Rajiv Gandhi as a visionary leader and said significant progress was made in medical science during his tenure as Prime Minister.
As part of the programme, 70 educationists and youth-service functionaries from universities, colleges and schools across Odisha—including NSS Programme Officers, Youth Red Cross Counsellors, NCC ANOs, Scouts, Guides, Rovers and Rangers—were honoured with the Rajiv Gandhi Education Award for their outstanding contributions. Another 10 distinguished social workers from different parts of the State were presented the Rajiv Gandhi Service Award.
Among others, Bhawani Shankar Jena, Priyabrat Nayak, Santosh Pradhan, Sagar Ranjan Parida, Arun Jyoti Panigrahi, Anil Mohanty, Mir Abubakar Siddiqui, Prakash Chandra Nayak, Anil Chhua Singh, Bapuni Behera and Ashutosh Sahu extended their cooperation in conducting the programme. Northern Odisha Coordinator Devendra Acharya proposed the vote of thanks.
About the Author
