Odisha’s swimming star Pratyasa Ray honored with Ekalabya Puraskar 2024

Bhubaneswar, Nov 3: Odisha’s swimming prodigy, Pratyasa Ray, has been awarded the prestigious Ekalabya Puraskar for 2024, acknowledging her exceptional achievements on both national and international stages from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2024. At a ceremony held at Mayfair Convention in Bhubaneswar, Ray received a citation, trophy, and cash prize of ₹7 lakh.

In addition to Ray, sprinter Dondapati Mrutyam Jayaram and badminton player Tanvi Patri were also recognized for their outstanding performances, each receiving a citation and cash prize of ₹1.5 lakh.

The event was graced by Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, and Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister of Education, Sports & Youth Services, and Odia Language, Literature & Culture, as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, respectively. Baijayant Panda, Chairman of the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee for 2024, attended the event with the esteemed jury members. Syed Maqbool Ali, a Management Consultant, delivered the inaugural welcome address, while Paramita Panda, a Trustee of IMPaCT, gave the vote of thanks. The award ceremony was managed by Shashanka Pattnaik, Convenor of the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee-2024 and Head of Corporate Affairs at IMFA Ltd.

Established by IMPaCT and managed by IMFA in 1993, the Ekalabya Puraskar has become Odisha's most distinguished sports award, often compared to national honors. Over the years, the award has bolstered the careers of many prominent athletes in the state, inspiring future generations to pursue excellence in sports.