”Essay Competition Prize Distribution Ceremony on “Is Odisha Lagging Behind in Social Justice?”
CAG Research Foundation Hosts State-level Debate, Discussion on “Odisha: Rich in Resources, Poor in Outcomes – Who is Responsible? What needs to be done?
Bhubaneswar, 30th August 2025: The CAG Research Foundation today organized a Debate & Discussion on the theme at Gita Govinda Sadan, Bhubaneswar, providing a vibrant platform for intellectual exchange on Odisha’s socio-political challenges.The programme also featured the Prize Distribution Ceremony of the State-level Essay Competition on the theme “Is Odisha Lagging Behind in Social Justice?”. The competition witnessed overwhelming participation from 160 students across 20 districts, with remarkable enthusiasm from female students, who outnumbered their male counterparts.Several eminent leaders and intellectuals graced the occasion and shared their valuable insights. Among them were:Srikant Jena (Former Union Minister),Bhakta Charan Das (PCC President, Odisha),Prafulla Gadhai (Ex-Minister, Odisha), Jaideb Jena (Ex-Minister, Odisha),Shubhashish Khuntia (MP, Rajya Sabha), Ranendra Pratap Swain (MLA, Athagarh),Ananta Prasad Sethi (Ex-MP),Janardan Pati (CPM), Rabidas (Senior Journalist), Yudhishtir Mahapatra and Radhakant Shetty from CPI (ML), Narayan Reddy (EX-MLA ,CPI) Senior journalist Akshay Sahu, Jyoti Ranjan Mahapatra (All India Forward Bloc), Makarand Mugli (Ex-MLA), Sudarshan Das and many others .
Meeting was presided by Chidananda Jena (Sec.- CAG Research Foundation) and Akshay Kumar Malik (Founding Member – CAG Research Foundation). Presentation on above topic was given by Ravi Rajan (Founder- CAG)
Consensus of the Debate:Participants unanimously observed that Odisha is endowed with abundant natural and human resources that are sufficient to make it a developed state. However, the state continues to lag behind primarily due to the absence of strong political will, lack of right policy formulation, and deficiency of sincere intent in governance. It was also decided that this debate will continue in different parts of Odisha.
Prize Winners:
Junior Category
1st Prize: Swati Samikshya Ray
2nd Prize: Rajanandini Sahoo
3rd Prize: Jyotsna Rani Panda
Senior Category
1st Prize: Tamanna Bhoi
2nd Prize: Swati Pragyan Patro
3rd Prize: Annada Amrut Prusty
Other Recognized Participants and Consolation Prizes: Priyal Goel, Sasmita Khuntia, Binamrata Swain, Dyutprava Routray, Maheswari Naik, Smruti Swarupa Mahapatra, Sai Satabdi Chandan Jal, Aniket Beuria, Rachita Mansingh, Ashis Kumar Biswal, Subhashree Sahoo, Suchismita Sahoo, Subhalaxmi Mohanty, Soumya Ranjan Rout, Purnima Swain, Ankita Sahoo, Dr. Pragyanmita Nayak, Priyanka Rath, Upashya Das
