Upendra Bhanja Award Conferred On Odisha’s Eminent Poet Soubhagya Mishra

Berhampur: The prestigious Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja National Award was conferred on Eminent poet Prof Soubhagya Kumar Mishra in absentia for his outstanding contribution to literature.

The award, instituted by Berhampur University, was presented during its 59th Foundation Day celebration held at Biju Patnaik Auditorium on Thursday. Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof Geetanjali Dash received the citation and a cheque of Rs one lakh as the prize money on behalf of Prof Mishra from the chief guest Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Minister of Commerce, Transport, Steel and Mines. Mishra was unable to attend the function due to some unavoidable engagements.

Prof Mishra is revered for his profound wisdom and excellence in Odia literature. A prolific academic, an ardent admirer of Odia literature, and a philosopher, Prof Mishra has achieved significant milestones through his remarkable journey, shaping and inspiring generations of poets and writers. His creativity has transformed profound thoughts into impactful poetry, leaving an indelible mark on the literary world.

His career as a professor in the English Department of Berhampur University is marked by exceptional achievements. Through his dedication to research as well as the muse of creativity, he not only made significant contributions, but also produced tremendous creative output, thus, enriching the value of the academic community and the Odia literature.

Prof Mishra has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (1986), Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award (1979), Governor’s Medal (1993), Gangadhar National Award for Poetry (2013), Bishuba Award (2014) and Senior Fellow Award from the Department of Culture, Government of India (1995). He was also an Honorary Fellow in the International Writing Programme in the University of Iowa, Indiana, USA.

Earlier recipients of the award included eminent litterateurs such as Manoj Das (2019), Pratibha Ray (2020), Sitakanta Mahapatra (2021), Ramakanta Rath (2022), Jayant Mahapatra (2023) and Haraprasad Das (2024).

Former State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) Sunil Kumar Mishra and Prof Sachidananda Mohanty, Executive Director, AIIMS, Kashmir were present at the function.

Berhampur University also awarded ‘Dakhina Odisha Loka Sanskruti Samman’ to two folk artists including Ramlila exponent Shyam Sundar Panigrahi of Pratapgiri and Kandheinacha exponent Ajay Kumar Bishoyi Badakodanda, both from Ganjam.