Hara Prasanna Mishra receives Kalinga Samman

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, Sep 15: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today conferred Kalinga Samman-2013 to Hara Prasanna Mishra, an eminent scientist and technocrat, for popularisation of science in Odisha.Since the Year 2010, Kalinga Foundation Trust, Bhubaneswar has been presenting Kalinga Samman for ‘Popularisation of Science Amongst the Common Man’ to leading scientific and technological persons of the state who have contributed immensely for the growth of science and technology and popularisation of science in Odisha.This award is considered as the highest award in the State for popularisation of science.Patnaik also felicitated eminent scientist and UNESCO Kalinga Prize winner for the year 2013 at the function that was organised by Kalinga Foundation Trust at the Institute of Physics.Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said he was delighted to felicitate Xiangyi Li, the UNESCO Kalinga Prize Winner for popularisation of science for the year-2013 on the occasion.“I would like to congratulate Professor Xiangyi Li on behalf of the people of Odisha. He has been a path finder in his field, and is a role model for others.Our young scientists should take a leaf out of his books and follow his foot prints to spread the wings of scientific temper, so that the benefits of scientific and technological developments reach the common man,” Patnaik said.The Chief Minister said that our education system should focus on developing better scientists and better citizens capable of governing their personal actions in a scientific manner.It is our fundamental duty to develop scientific temper and spirit amongst citizens, especially students, he added.In the year 1951, under the banner of Kalinga Foundation Trust, Biju Babu laid the foundation stone through UNESCO, Paris and instituted Kalinga Prize for Popularisation of Science, Patnaik added.Till now, 67 eminent scientists & science popularizers have received this coveted award from 24 countries of the world.Patnaik also thanked Kalinga Foundation Trust for their noble endeavours in propagation of scientific temper amongst the common man and hoped that they will continue to inspire the young talents of our state with their relentless efforts.In his address, Xiangyi Li recalled the great civilisations of ancient India and China.He said that scientific spirit is the only way forward to future.