Bhubaneswar: The 188th birth anniversary of eminent astronomer, mathematician and scholar Pandit Pathani Samanta was observed by ‘Mun Baghel’ family at Khandapada in Odisha’s Nayagarh district.
To commemorate the birth anniversary, a two-day event was held on the premises of Khandapada palace by Sikshya O Anusandhan University and Mun Baghel family on December 15 and 16. Baghel Samman 2022-23 was also presented on the occasion.
On the first day, competitions were held among students from different schools in drawing, jhoti and debate after the guests paid floral tributes to Samanta’s statue.
Inaugurating the event as chief guest, tormer Kandhamal MP Pratusha Rajeshwari Singh 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, vice-chancellor of Asian Institute of Public Health Aditya Prasad Das 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.
Dean of Students Welfare at Sikshya O Anusandhan University Jyoti Ranjan Das and former Deputy Speaker and Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj were present.
A health camp and several cultural programmes were organised on the occasion, according to a press release.
During the programme, a music session was held in memory of Kishor Rath. On the second day of the event, Odissi recital by internationally renowned dance guru Puspitha Mishra and Kalingayan Touryatrikam, Bhubaneswar was held. Besides, Odissi dancer Barbara from France attended the event.
