The Odisha Society of United Kingdom (OSUK) celebrated its 46th Anniversary with pomp and massive fanfare. Rahul Laud who attended the two day event in London gives an eye witness account
A large gathering of the Odiya community in the U.K. had converged to attend the Two days long Ceremony at lush green picturesque Maidenhead in Berkshire County of London .
Young and old had all joined hands to support the organising committee to aesthetically and elegantly deck up the grand occasion.
The entire ambience recreated a mini Odisha in England with all authenticity and uniqueness.
The Mega Event celebrated the close bonding and strong brotherhood of Odia community . The OSUK’s stakeholders displayed evolution of united leadership,celebration of community’s achievements and establishment of Odia pride.
The Convention Commenced with the lighting of ceremonial lamps in front of the idols of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and Maa Samalei. Former CEO at ICICI Bank Renowned banker Lok Mishra ‘s presence added prestige to the event .
President of OSUK, Biswajit Pradhan appreciated the overwhelming support extended by Odia Diaspora in UK towards the activities of OSUK.The Annual Report presented by Secretary of OSUK Sukanta Sahu and Accounts details placed by Treasurer Kishore Dash during the AGM was approved unanimously.
Addressing the gathering Chief Guest MP Virender Sharma, Guests Of Honour Mayor Mandy Brar, Councillor Gurch Singh, Mr. Ajay Thakur from High Commission of India, Padmashree Adwaita Gadanayak, amd Chairman Suvadra Art Gallery Surya Rath were present on the occasion .
During the meeting Speakers recounted the remarkable contributions made by the founders of OSUK like Dr Padmalochan Panigrahi, Late Dr Prana Ballav Das, Dr Nishebita Das, Dr Kali Mishra, Dr Ramakanta Jena, Dr Tapan Mohapatra and Dr Pitabas Mishra. Dr Nishebita Das was warmly felicitated by the invited Guests for her sterling role in strengthening OSUK.
OSUK’s Souvenir entitled Naba Gunjara designed and edited by Journal Secretary Prof Dr Rajinder Singh got released by the Guests . Some outstanding achievers were awarded during the Celebration.They include Rekha Senapati, for her contribution to the well being of Odia community and Sushmita Rajhansa for establishing Jagannath temple in City of Bath.
Other winners for academic excellence in children category were Sunayna Suvarna Nanda, Arun Lewis, Aayona Das and Sragvi Sethi , In the adult category were Sandhya Mahapatra ,Resma Mahapatra, Ragini Mohanty, Dr Lipsita Patnaik, Dr Sahadev Swain, Dr Jayashree Nanda, Dr Aditya Singh, Anushree Pattnaik, Siba Ranjan Biswal and Satyanarayan Das.
The other awardees of repute included Dr Jayasmita Mishra, Mithila Mohanty, Sanjit Kumar Nayak, Subas Pradhan, Dr Debashis Panda, Srikanth Padhi, Dr Smruti Ranjan, Satyanarayan Das, Dr Pitabas Mishra, Salil Das, Dr Ramesh Rautray, Nilamadhab Kar, Chinmayi Nath, Dr Kali Mishra, and Dr Adyasha Das.
Instituted in memory of Professor Raju Sarangi, the awards were sponsored by his daughter Milly Mishra The Special attraction of the Convention was a Colourful Cultural Extravaganza presented by upcoming and established artistes of Ollywood and U.K.
The Highlights of the Supersonic Show was the power packed performances by Star actor Kuna Tripathy, Ollywood Hero Debasis Patra and Comedy King Papu Pom Pom.Particularly audiences were completely moved and mesmerised by Kuna Tripathy’s Spellbinding narration of Shiva Stotra and Debasis Patra’s electrifying dance with Dr Sumita Nayak on stage.
The other notable performances were Odissi Dance by Tulika Tripathy and Prem Sahoo. Both these dancers demonstrated a strong lineage of their respective Gurus Kumkum Mohanty and Madhavi Mughal .
Sambalpyri folk dance by Team Utkalika led by Subhashree Sahoo rocked . Subhashree’s dual role as dancer and as compere showcased her huge creative talent . She brought on stage immense energy and electrified the atmosphere .
Music by Ipseeta Panda, Dr Kapilmeet Kaur and Kuldeep Pattnaik and Bhajan by Mousumi Mishra enthralled the audience.
The Festival also figured painting and sports competitions, interactive workshops and fashion parade highlighting Ramoli Creations. Jas Live Digital provided technical support on stage. Ace Anchors Dishita Rout and Subhashree Sahoo ably conducted the proceedings of the cultural programmes.
The Antakshri competition was compered by Dr Lipi Pradhan and Dr Sangeeta and Das. The Medal winners of different sports competitions were Bharat Swain, Mrutyunjay Kar, Suvendu Sethi,Anjan Mishra, Debabrata Tripathy, Krithik, Sujata Samal, Priya Sahu,Reshma Mahapatra, Svetlana Nanda,Anjali Patra, Sparsh Nayak, Divyansh Swain , Ms Aaditi Mishra,Debabrata Tripathy,Manish Kiran, Prthiviraj Tripathy,Ishaan Das, Sparsh Nayak and Divyansh Swain .
Odia delicacies such as Mansa Kasa, Badhi Chura, Aaloo Chop, Ghuguni, Macha Besara and to top it all, mouth watering Rasogolla and Paan were served to delegates on both the days by team of Potli under the supervision of Uttam Tripathy.
The entire arrangements of the Convention were skillfully managed by a highly energetic team consisting of Organising Secretaries Ashok Chandra Panigrahi, Neera Tiwari, Journal Secretary Dr Rajinder Singh, Cultural Secretaries Anushree Pattnaik, Akshita Brahma,Treasurer Kishore Dash, IT Secretary Vishal Mayo, Youth Members Ashriya Fernando, Priyesh Fernando and Organising Committee members Umakant Rout, Nandita Pattnaik,Tripti Rath, Mona Mohapatra, Sabita Tripathy, Hardik Pradhan, Sragvi Sethi, Anushka Padhi, Sourish Brahma, Ishaan Rout, Anisha Panda, Aanya Panda, Subhashree Sahoo, PalliPuspa Samal, Aditya Behuria, Neel Dash and Ragini Mohanty.
EVOS was the Title Sponsor of 46th OSUK Convention.
Other sponsors were World Odisha Society, SBI UK, RR Events, Essar Systems, PNB, Potli, Aspora,Essar Events,Bank Of Baroda, Hemraj Jewellers and Amadeus.
