Mun Baghel family remembers Pathani Samanta on 188th birth anniversary
The 188th birth anniversary of noted astrologer and scholar Pandit Pathani Samanta was organized by ‘Mun Baghel’ family at Khandapada in Nayagarh district.
To commemorate the birth anniversary, an event was organized on the premises of Khandapada palace by Sikshya O Anusandhan University and Mun Baghel family for two days on December 15-16.
Baghel Samman 2022-23 was also presented on the occasion.
On the first day of the programme, competitions were held among hundreds of students from different schools in drawing, jhoti and debate. Before the start of the programme, the guests paid floral tributes to Samanta’s statue.
In the meeting held in the afternoon, former Kandhamal MP Pratusha Rajeshwari Singh joined as the chief guest and inaugurated the programme. She also spoke about Samanta’s life.
Lawyer and columnist Girija Shankar Tarasia, writer Kulamani Sarangi and convenor of Mun Baghel family Dhaneshwar Mahapatra were the speakers.
On the second day, Padma Sri Aditya Prasad Das, a prominent scientist and vice-chancellor of Asian Institute of Public Health, attended Samanta’s birth anniversary as the chief guest, while Satyanarayan Acharya, Professor of Literature at National Sanskrit University, Tirupati, was present as the chief speaker.
Professor Jyoti Ranjan Das, Dean of Students Welfare at Sikshya O Anusandhan University, former Deputy Speaker and Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj, and Pandit Manoj Das, block vice-chairman Sisir Kumar sahu were present.
Advocate and secretary of the organization Bikram Keshari Deo introduced the guests.
On the second day, a health camp was organized. Besides, cultural programmes were organized on the occasion.
During the programme, a music session was held in memory of Kishor Rath, popularly known as Kataksha Kishor, artist Suresh Mahapatra, Giridhari Barik and Vikari Muhammad, known as second Salabega.
On the second day of the event, Odissi dance performance by internationally renowned Odissi dance guru Puspitha Mishra and Kalingayan Touryatrikam, Bhubaneswar was held. Besides, Odissi dancer Barbara from France arrived at Samanta Jayanthi making the event even more beautiful.
At the end of the programme, Siddharth Shekhar Singh, former MLA of Khadpada, gave vote of thanks.
The programme was organized for two days under the supervision of Singh and hundreds of people from the local area participated in the programme.