Naveen presents Suraj Award, felicitates Bahanaga heroes

Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of World Organ Donation Day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik presented awards to family members of Suraj Award recipients and felicitated volunteers, institutions and response forces for their support during Bahanaga train tragedy.

The Odisha CM pointed out that human values and compassion shown just after the Bahanaga triple-train accident has re-established trust in the conscience of our society.

“The incident at Bahanaga reminds us that disasters can strike at any time and anywhere. We need to enhance the capacities of our response teams and community volunteers to respond to such unpredictable disasters in a better manner. We require to be in a constant state of preparedness,” Naveen said.

Offering condolences and sympathy to family members of the deceased, Naveen recalled the timely, selfless service of local volunteers, institutions and response forces. He also congratulated all the volunteers and organisations who were felicitated.

The CM said at the outset that World Organ Donation Day is the day to realise the value of service and sacrifice in society.

“It’s a day to reset our goal to a beautiful future,” he stated, adding that service to people and helping others during the time of need brings self-satisfaction and “makes our life meaningful.”

Naveen thanked family members of the recipients of Suraj Award, saying that they will always be remembered for their inspiring and exemplary humanitarian act of donating vital organs to save precious human lives.

Late Master Sudhanshu Sekhar Lenka of Jagatsinghpur district, Late Tanuja Kar of Cuttack district, and Late Prasenjit Mohanty of Bhubaneswar received the Suraj Award. Family members of Suraj Award winners received cash award of Rs 5 lakh each.

The CM also paid tributes to Late Suraj Behera on whose name this award is instituted, and said that the sacrifice made by his parents has encouraged organ donation in the state.

Among those who were felicitated today were ODRAF, NDRF, 108 Ambulance, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, SCB & MCH Cuttack, BMC Bhubaneswar, Fire & Emergency Services, Collector and SP Balasore, Fakir Mohan Medical College Balasore, Balasore DHH, North Odisha Chamber of Commerce, several voluntary and charitable organisations, social workers and individual volunteers.