Expatriates from Odisha Gather on Native Soil – “Srujani Friends’ Convention” Held in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, 19/11:
The Srujani Family (Chennai) organised a grand gathering of Odia expatriates—Srujani Suhrud Samabesh—in the capital city Bhubaneswar. During the event, prominent Odia writer and well-wisher of the Srujani Family, Mrs. Chandra Mishra, now settled in the United States of America, was honoured with the “Srujani Suhrud Samman.”
The convention, conducted under the direct supervision of Dr. Basanti Mohanty, literary scholar and convener of the programme, and Shri Ashutosh Samanta Singh, Chief Advisor of Srujani Family and former Chief Administrator, Tamil Nadu Forest Department (IFS, Retd.), witnessed the presence of Odia writers living across Odisha and various parts of India.
A special discussion session was organised on “Odia Literature and Its Role in the Progress of the Odia Community,” accompanied by a confluence of Odia writers from diverse regions.
Noted literary figure and recipient of both Central and State Sahitya Akademi Awards, Prof. Dr. Phani Mohanty, graced the event as the Chief Guest.
Similarly, distinguished scholar and Sahitya Akademi Awardee Prof. Dr. Bansidhar Saddangi addressed the audience as the Chief Speaker, highlighting the importance of translation literature in protecting Odia language and expanding the global presence of Odia literary work. Their insightful remarks enriched the entire assembly.
Shri Gurukalyan Mohapatra, Chief Editor of Samaya daily, and Ms. Lopamudra Mohanty, former Chairperson of the Odisha State Women’s Commission, also participated as key panelists and shared their views.
Other eminent speakers included:
Prof. Dr. Kailash Chandra Maharana
Researcher Dr. Kaibalya Mishra
Veteran Poet Kailash Chandra Sahanie
Writer Parmita Saddangi, recipient of Maharashtra State Hindi Sahitya Akademi Award
Writer Vivekananda Panigrahi
Researcher Dr. Rashmi Das
Satyabrata Jena, Executive Editor of The Common Times
They collectively discussed the contemporary scope of Odia literature and the contribution of Odia writers to the field of translation and literary promotion.
The programme was conducted by Prof. Sharmistha Mohapatra and Prof. Sanghamitra Mohapatra, with active support from:
Prof. Dr. Godabarish Mishra, Advisor, Srujani Family and Professor at Nalanda University
Secy. Ashok Samanta ( Chennai, who was conducting webinar programme
Programme Director Vighneswar Sahu
Shri Gour Prasad Mohapatra
and others.
Poetry readings by participating poets and melodious musical performances by vocalist Mrs. Bidyutprabha Pattanaik added artistic charm to the event.
The Srujani Suhrud Samabesh was organised in both offline and virtual formats.
In the virtual session, distinguished personalities from India and abroad—including Prof. Bishnu Choudhury, Prof. Radhanath Behera, Prof. Kailash Banth, Prof. Rina Sahu, writers Ramesh Pashayat, Sumati Mund, Meena Mund, Dr. Kamalakrishna Tripathy, and Engineer Pratap Acharya—graced the gathering, contributing to its success
