BHUBANESWAR: Eminent Odia writer Achyutananda Pati was honoured with Jadunath Das Mahapatra Sahitya Samman 2017 on the occasion of 89th birth anniversary of the famous poet, playwright and former minister here on Wednesday.
Awards, instituted by Jadunath Das Mahapatra Foundation, were also given to renowned litterateurs Banshidhar Sarangi, Rabidranath Das and Batakrushna Ojha for their exemplary contribution in the field of poetry, drama and children literature respectively.
The awards were given away in presence of octogenarian Das Mahapatra, noted Bengali writer Subodh Sarkar and educationist Biswaranjan.
On the occasion, Das Mahapatra said the current generation is surviving in a time where machines are dearer than human beings.
"The people-to-people connect is losing out with the advent of technology. It is important to nurture human values and be an honest individual than craving for wealth and fame,’’ he said.
Das Mahapatra called upon Odias to subscribe to at least one Odia magazine and a journal in a month and read it religiously for the sake of survival of the literature of the State.
Sarkar said there is a long standing connection between Odia and Bengali literature. Bengal and Odisha have many things in common and the two provinces have contributed collectively towards freedom struggle in an era which generated excellent literary works, he said.
Among others, president of the foundation Dilip Harichandan spoke.