Fakir Mohan Jayanti Celebrated at F.M. Autonomous College: Santosh Kumar Rath Receives Fakir Mohan Saraswat Award 2026
Balasore, Jan 16 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, the 184th birth anniversary of Vyasa Kabi Fakir Mohan Senapati was celebrated at the Science Bhavan Conference Hall of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College.
The programme was held under the patronage of the college Principal, Professor Dinesh Chandra Das.
After the Head of the PG English Department, Professor Ranjan Kumar Sahu, invited the guests to the dais, the event began with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by the college anthem and a devotional invocation.
In his welcome address, Principal Professor Das spoke on the relevance of Fakir Mohan’s legacy. The Secretary of the organising committee and Head of the PG Odia Department, Dr Santosh Kumar Nayak, presented the annual report of the committee, introduced the guests, and outlined the objectives of the celebration.
The chief guest, Dr Sirish Chandra Jena, former President of Fakir Mohan Sahitya Parishad, retired Odia professor, and noted writer, delivered an illuminating address on Fakir Mohan’s unique essays, speeches, humorous writings, and the remarkable features of his life and works. Distinguished guest Professor Dr Santosh Kumar Rath highlighted Fakir Mohan’s deep engagement not only with literature but also with grammar, medical science, and history. Another guest, Professor Firoz Kumar Padhi, observed that Fakir Mohan’s values, ideal way of life, and lived experiences formed the true foundation of his literature. Professor Dr Santwana Haldar, also a distinguished guest, offered a comparative analysis of the classical quality and stature of Fakir Mohan’s prose fiction.
For his significant contribution to Fakir Mohan studies, Professor Santosh Kumar Rath was conferred the Fakir Mohan Saraswat Award 2026. He was honoured with a citation, memento, ceremonial shawl, and a commemorative plaque.
As part of the annual celebrations, an essay competition was also organised. Gita Raut, a second-year PG Odia student, secured first place; Dipsa Tripathy, a second-year Integrated Arts student, won second place; and Anupama Mandal, a third-year Science undergraduate student, achieved third place. They received certificates along with cash prizes of ₹2000, ₹1500, and ₹1000 respectively.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by Dr Madhusmita Ghadai, Assistant Professor, Department of Odia.
