Celebrating outstanding intellectual contributions and extraordinary research in science and technology, the Odisha Bigyan Academy, under the Science & Technology Department, organised its prestigious Award Investiture Ceremony for the Award Year 2024 at Jayadev Bhawan on November 9, 2026.
The grand ceremony was presided over by Smt. Sibani Mohanty, President of the Odisha Bigyan Academy. Sj. Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister for Science & Technology, Food Supplies, and Consumer Welfare, graced the event as the Chief Guest and conferred the prestigious honours upon the state’s distinguished scientists and researchers.
Joining as Guests of Honour were Sj. Deoranjan Kumar Singh, IAS, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Odisha, and Smt. Chithra Arumugam, Additional Chief Secretary of the Science & Technology Department and Director General of Gopabandhu Academy of Administration.
Lifetime Contributions and Top Honors
Five veteran researchers—Dr. Lala Aswini Kumar Singh, Dr Sudhakar Kar, Prof. Rabindra Kumar Panda, Prof. Prafulla Kumar Mohanty, and Prof. Bijay Kumar Mishra—were felicitated as Senior Scientists of Odisha for their legendary lifelong dedication to scientific advancement. Each received a memento, citation, and Uttariya.
The evening’s highest honour, the Biju Patnaik Award for Scientific Excellence, was bestowed upon Dr Surendra Kumar Biswal. He was presented with a cash prize of ₹2 lakh, a gold-coated silver medallion, a memento, a certificate, a citation, and an Uttariya for his landmark scientific achievements.
Celebrating Excellence Across Domains
The Samanta Chandra Sekhar Award recognised outstanding scientific research both within and outside the state. Each recipient was awarded a cash prize of ₹1 lakh alongside a gold-coated silver medallion, memento, certificate, citation, and Uttariya:
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Within State: Prof. Umakanta Subudhi, Prof. Subhankar Bedanta, and Prof. Jagadish Chandra Paul.
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Outside State: Prof. Raghunath Sahoo.
Bright young innovators were honoured with the Odisha Young Scientist Award, carrying a cash prize of ₹25,000, memento, certificate, citation, and Uttariya:
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Within State: Dr Chita Ranjan Sahoo, Dr Rudra Majhi, and Dr Ram Prasad Padhy.
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Outside State: Dr Rabindra Mohanty.
To foster scientific temperament among the public and young readers, the Prana Krushna Parija Popular Science Book Award was presented to Prof. Bhagaban Patra (General Category) and Dr Krutibas Nayak (Children Category), each receiving a cash prize of Rs 25,000 along with citations and mementoes.
The memorable event was smoothly hosted by Smt. Anuja Tarini Mishra and concluded with a formal Vote of Thanks delivered by Smt. Urmiprava Maharana, Deputy Secretary of the Science & Technology Department.
