The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, attended the birth anniversary celebrations of Adikabi Sarala Das and presented the Kalinga Ratna Award for 2024 to Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, in Cuttack, Odisha, on July 15, 2025.
During her address, the President paid tribute to Adikabi Sarala Das, acknowledging his significant contribution to Indian literature through his composition of the Mahabharata. She also praised the ‘Sarala Sahitya Sansad’ for honouring the great poet by organising various literary programs in his memory.
The President congratulated Shri Dharmendra Pradhan on receiving the Kalinga Ratna Award and also extended her congratulations to Shri Bijaya Nayak, who received the prestigious literary award, ‘Sarala Samman.’
The President emphasised that India’s diversity is akin to a rainbow, and our unity has remained strong throughout history. She noted that despite our many languages, we share a common sentiment. The world is often amazed at how India remains united and integrated amidst its linguistic and religious diversity.
She remarked that Indian languages have played a crucial role in enriching the country’s educational tradition. It is heartening to see that the National Education Policy 2020 places emphasis on education in the mother tongue. She stated that learning in one’s mother tongue fosters a deeper connection to culture and tradition while also encouraging the acquisition of additional languages.
