PUNARBASA’, an organization working for therapeutic services and the empowerment of persons with disabilities, organized a felicitation ceremony at Amar Udyan, Madhapur, to honour Odisha’s para-athletes who have achieved success at the national and international levels.

The Odisha Wheelchair Rugby Team, after becoming National Champions, created a new record by winning 39 medals in the National Para Swimming Competition. Similarly, Odisha’s para-athletes represented the country in the World Ability Competition and secured 12 medals in different categories.

Among the successful athletes honoured on the occasion was Prashant Kumar Nayak from Shyamsunder village under Mahakalapada Block of Kendrapara district, who is a member of the champion Wheelchair Rugby Team. Likewise, in the National Para Swimming Competition, Balaram Swain from Hariyanka village under Derabish Block won a gold medal in the 100-metre event, while Sudhir Malik from Srirampur village under Pattamundai Block secured a silver medal. Sudhir Malik is also an active member of the National Wheelchair Rugby Team

These successful para-athletes were felicitated by ‘PUNARBASA’ in recognition of their outstanding achievements.District Social Security Officer Sangram Keshari Behura, District Sports Officer Lokanath Panigrahi, senior physician Dr. Biswa Prakash Kanungo, and Kendrapara Urban Bank President Guruprasad Mohanty addressed the gathering.

On the occasion, the guests also released and read out the special issue of PUNARBASA Samachar, a bilingual newsletter published by the organization. Prizes were distributed among the winners of the drawing competition organized earlier for school students.

The felicitation programme was organized under the guidance of Biraja Routray, Advisor of ‘PUNARBASA’. The programme was conducted with the support of Manoranjan Singh, Sanjiv Kumar Jena, Rajendra Mohapatra, Goutam Behera, Dharanidhar Sethi, and Kedarnath Barik.

The co-editor of the organization expressed gratitude to members and supporters including Swapnanshu Kumar Das, Mohammed Zaid Khan, Prashant Kumar Singh, Kamala Kanta Behera, and Khirod Kara for their valuable cooperation and support.