Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s swimming sensation Pratyasa Ray was on Sunday presented the Ekalabya Puraskar for 2024, recognising her outstanding achievements at national and international levels from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024.
Pratyasa was felicitated with a citation, trophy and a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh at a ceremony held at Mayfair Convention, Bhubaneswar.
The fine performances of sprinter Dondapati Mrutyam Jayaram and badminton player Tanvi Patri were also acknowledged with citations and cash prizes of Rs 1.5 lakh each.
Odisha deputy chief minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo was the chief guest of the evening and minister for Education, Sports & Youth Services and Odia Language Literature & Culture Suryabanshi Suraj was the guest of honour.
Trustee and chairman of Ekalabya Puraskar Committee-2024 Baijayant Panda was present along with jury members.
Mr. Syed Maqbool Ali, Management Consultant presented the inaugural welcome address. The function ended with Vote of Thanks from Ms. Paramita Panda, Trustee of IMPaCT and the award ceremony was managed by Shri Shashanka Pattnaik, Convenor, Ekalabya Puraskar Committee-2024 & Head- Corporate Affairs, IMFA LTD.
Ekalabya Puraskar was instituted in 1993 by IMPaCT, managed by IMFA, the leading ferro alloys producer in the country.
The award is given every year to young sportspersons of Odisha in recognition of their outstanding performance in the preceding two years.
