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The 7th Annual Interaction of DIGJYOTI family took place in Bhubaneswar on 9th February, 2014 with the participation of Trust awardees, representatives of orphanages, Trust members and social activists across the state. The children particularly were agog with enthusiasm to grab the opportunity of this much awaited interaction to meet everybody and share their experiences. They quickly finished their morning chores and jumped on to the waiting cavalcade for visiting places of educational and cultural interests in and around the city.

After a melodious devotional Invocation presented by a visually handicapped scholar, the meeting was opened by the Trust’s Founder & Chairman, Prof. Khageswar Pradhan. In his opening speech he gave a detailed account of the Trust’s activities. The Trust has so far awarded 47 scholarships including 19 this year. 16 past awardees are now well settled in their lives and careers. The Trust has entered into MOUs with two donors during the financial year to award scholarships to meritorious candidates pursuing Graduate and Post Graduate Degrees.

The founder Trustee, Mrs. Sucheta Pradhan impressed upon the children to be diligent in their studies; to achieve their goals in life while as a proud member of DIGJYOTI family, keep its flag flying high. She also appealed to them to extend a helping hand to other needy students who are around them. One boy gave example of his helping a poor boy to get admission by donating two thousand rupees from his meager allowance.

Mrs. Nibedita Lenka a social activist whose passion is to help poor and needy students had come forward with some brilliant students and DIGJYOTI is helping them with scholarships. She attended the meeting with Rajashri Parida, the girl who received the Nemichand Jain scholarship. After the meeting, Rajashri received the second installment of her scholarship money.

The interactive meeting continued with brief comments from University officers, members of the Trust, representatives of orphanages and social activists and participating students who talked about their rewarding experiences from their association with the Trust. Moved by the heart-touching proceedings, a social activist Mr. Aditya Kumar Nayak chose the occasion to make a donation for the noble cause in helping orphan and poor students.

The President of the meeting Prof. Manoranjan Kar, Vice-Chancellor of Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar was all praise for DIGJYOTI for its invaluable contribution to society and assured the university’s continued support in fulfillment of the wider mandate of OUAT to serve the under-privileged people in the state of Orissa.

DIGJYOTI scholarship awardees alongwith representatives of sponsoring Orphanages, Sevashrams and social activists from different parts of Odisha gathered early in the morning of December 23,2012 at the OUAT Guest House in Bhubaneswar- the venue of the interaction. Soon after the morning chores & registration, the participants were taken on a study tour to the Planetarium and Science Park where they spent the whole forenoon fathoming the vast universe and the intricacies of scientific inventions. Next two hours were spent by their much awaited mutual exchange of pleasantries, sharing tales of happiness and vicissitudes in life and unfolding of dreams of their visions and goals.

The plenary session of the interaction began at 2.30 P.M as scheduled which was presided over by Prof. D.P. Ray, the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar. Following a brief introduction by Mr. B.C Das, Trustee Member, the Chairman of Digjyoti, Prof. Khageswar Pradhan dwelt upon the mission of the Trust – his dream child; his experience over the years with the orphanages and organizations in realizing the objectives; the ecstasy of his joy in watching the Trust assisted children established in life; and the future projections by way of adding newer scholarships apart from the ongoing assistance program touching 2.5 Lakhs per annum. Of the children who received DIGJYOTI’s educational assistance since 2006, Hiramati, Mohan, Maya, Harish, Chaitanya and Bipin after completing their studies  have got jobs and getting settled in life. He expressed his fond hope that the children will develop a strong fraternity for espousing the cause of DIGJYOTI family which they belong.

Responding to the call of the founder, the participating awardees spoke in all earnestness the progress they are making in achieving their goals while expressing their deep sense of emotional attachment to the organization. The scene was touching indeed.

The representatives of Orphanages, Sevashramas, Seva Sanghas and social activists from across the state also expressed their views on various ways of attending the need of orphanages and orphans. Mr Khagendra Nayak narrated the harrowing experience in managing their Balashrams and Kanyashrams with the very scanty grant from Government. He acknowledged the educational assistance from DIGJYOTI which helped two of their orphan inmates – Bipin and Hiramati completing their education and getting recruited in Government jobs. He pleaded for continued assistance to their socially challenged tribal inmates especially of Saura community who are way behind economically and socially. Similarly Sri Nanda Kishore Samal of Grama Mangala Pathagar and Sri Budhadeva Swain of Jagatbandhu Biswabharati Siksha Niketan from Bolangir district who are associated with DIGJYOTI right from its inception in 2006, pleaded for award of more scholarships for their orphan and poor inmates who come from  economically backward area of western Odisha. Mr. Om Prakash  Agarwal from Nehru Seva Sangh which was established by Santh Harihar Ramji in the year 1946, hailed the vision and mission of DIGJYOTI which has been assisting orphans, tribals and handicapped inmates of their Sangha since last two years. He also offered his service for obtaining permission to accept foreign contribution, if required. Ms Deepanjali Mishra of Sabalakana High School who has been associated with the organization for the last 3 years to help finding poor meritorious children from rural areas for educational assistance, also promised her unstinted cooperation for espousing its mission.

Mrs. Sucheta Pradhan, Trustee highlighted the objectives of the Trust at length and said DIGJYOTI is not a philanthropic organization with religious sentiments but a forum to provide succor to those socially, physically and economically challenged meritorious children in our society for establishing them in life and securing a meaningful and honourable place in society. She hoped that the DIGJYOTIANS will be a force to be reckoned with.

Also, Dr. S. Nanda, Dean of Extension Education; Prof. P.C. Lenka, a member of the Trust; Prof. Santosh Ku. Rout, a founding associate and Dr. Manoranjan Roy a member of the selection committee of the Trust spoke and   gave valuable advice to the children for taking advantage of the assistance programme of the Trust to stand themselves good stead in life.

Before winding up the proceedings, Prof. D.P. Ray called upon the children to rise to the expectation of the Trust and continue pursuing their studies with determination of competing with others  so that they get settled in life. Finally, the day long interaction ended in a happy note with the Founder Chairman of DIGJYOTI, Prof. Pradhan extending his appreciation and thanks to Dr.D.P.Ray and other University officers, representatives of various orphanages, Seva Sanghas, Social Organizations and social activists for their active cooperation and wishing a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2013 to everyone.

Participants of Annual Interactive Meeting – 2012

Participating beneficiary students

Sri Harish Chandra Dash
Sri Prasanta Maharana
Sri Lal Mohan Alada
Sri Chagala Das
Ms Laxmipriya Sahoo
Ms Sushri Sangita Biswal
Ms Pushpalata Jena
Ms Nirupama Nayak
Ms Silpa Moharana
Ms Sibani Biswal
Ms Sumitra Pradhan
Ms Sangita Ghadei
Sri Mohan Chhati
Sri Sadana Masti
Sri Chaitanya Pradhan
Sri Manoranjan Samanta

Representatives of Orphanages/ Sevashrams/ Social Organizations

Sr Alekh Chandra Sahoo, KGNM Trust
Ms Khulana Das, KGNM Trust
Sri Khagendra Nayak, Banabasi Seva Samiti
Sri Om Prakash Agarwal, Nehru Seva Sanga
Sri Nanda Kishore Samal, Grama Mangal Pathagar
Sri Budhadev Swain, Jagatbandhu Biswa Bharati Siksha Niketan
Sri Blovn Kumar Mohanty, General Secretary, Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Bhubaneswar
Sri Ajay Kumar Palei, BGVS, Jagatsinghpur

Social Activists

Mrs. Deepanjali Mishra, Asst. Headmistress, Sabalakana High School, Dist-Cuttack
Sri Aditya Kumar Nayak, Advocate, Bhadrak
Sri Himansu Kumar Mohapatra
Sri Malaya Ranjan Nayak, Cuttack

Trust Members & Associates

Prof. Khageswar Pradhan, Chairman, DIGJYOTI
Mrs Sucheta Pradhan, Trustee Member
Mr. B.C Das, Trustee Member
Dr. P.C. Lenka, Trust Member
Dr. M. Roy, Trustee Associate
Dr. S.K. Rout, Trustee Associate
Sri. B. Bastia, Trustee Associate

Invited Guest

Prof. D.P. Ray, Ex. V.C, OUAT, Chief Guest
Prof. S. Nanda, Dean, Extn. Edn. OUAT, Honoured Guest