Bhubaneswar Hosts Ceremony Honouring Odisha Icon Award Recipients

Bhubaneswar: In a grand ceremony held at Jayadeva Bhawan, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh and prominent education leaders came together to honour exceptional educators with the Odisha Ratna, Odisha Gaurav, and Odisha Icon awards.

Organized by CED India and NITI Aayog in collaboration with BOF, the event also marked the 5th anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, celebrating the invaluable contributions of educators to Odisha’s educational landscape.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of dignitaries including Dr. Hrushikesh Senapati, former Director of NCERT; Shankar Goenka, MD, WOW Foundation; Smruti Patnaik, BJP leader, Cuttack; and Priyadarshi Nayak, Chairman of Sahodaya School Complex, Eastern Odisha, along with other executive body members.

Approximately 100 educators were felicitated for their dedication and commitment to nurturing future generations. Among the awardees, Suman Jana, Vice Principal of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya, Shirsa, received the Odisha Icon Award. Jana dedicated his award to his institution and colleagues, highlighting his efforts to transform OAV Shirsa through innovative strategies. Under his leadership, the school earned two district-level awards for the first time, alongside academic achievements. Jana is also noted for his research contributions and published papers, combining administrative excellence with a strong commitment to educational innovation.

The Odisha Ratna, Odisha Gaurav, and Odisha Icon awards aim to recognize and promote excellence and innovation in education, honoring educators whose tireless work continues to shape the future of Odisha.