Odisha Shuttler Rutaparna Panda Conferred Ekalabya Puraskar

Bhubaneswar: Rutaparna Panda, internationally acclaimed shuttler from Odisha, was conferred with the 29th Ekalabya Puraskar for 2021 here on Monday.

She received a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a citation from Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal at the awards ceremony held at Mayfair Convention Hall here.

Two other sportspersons — cyclist Swasti Singh and footballer Pyari Xaxa — were also felicitated. Both received a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each and citation.

The award, instituted by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), is given to young sportspersons from the state.

Padma Shri Dilip Tirkey and BJP national vice-president, chairperson of Ekalabya Puraskar Committee and IMPaCT trustee Baijayant Panda attended the function, among others.