10 Freedom Fighters Of Odisha Presented President’s Award

Bhubaneswar: Ten freedom fighters of Odisha, who draw pension under Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana, were conferred with the President’s Award for their contribution to India’s independence movement.

Due to the COVID-19 guidelines amid the pandemic, the district magistrates visited the awardees’ residence and presented them this year’s award, on behalf of the President of India.

The awardees are:

Ramahari Goswami, Dist- Bhadrak
Gourishyam Goswami, Dist- Bhadrak
Nilamani Samal, Dist Jajpur
Iswar Bisoi, Dist Nayagarh
Dadhichi Sahoo, Dist Jajpur
Braja Kishore Rout, Dist Bhadrak
Biswanath Das, Dist Jagatsinghpur
Debananda Gupta, Dist Sambalpur
Sahadeba Behera, Dist Nayagarh
Makardwaja Das, Dist Kendrapada

The prestigious award is presented by the President of India at a glittering ceremony in Presidential Estate in Raisina Hill, New Delhi, every year on Quit India Day on August 9, which is also celebrated as August Kranti Diwas. An exception had to be made this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A Central scheme for grant of pension to freedom fighters and their eligible dependents (in case freedom fighters have expired) was introduced by the Government of India with effect from August 15, 1972. In 1980, the scheme was liberalized and renamed as Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme.