Bhubaneswar: Odisha ace para shuttler Pramod Bhagat was conferred with the Biju Patnaik Sports Award while Angul’s little girl Shrimati Bhadra was felicitated with Biju Patnaik Bravery Award at a gala ceremony at Soochana Bhawan here, Thursday.
However, it was a double delight for Pramod as the 31-year-old World No.1 was busy receiving the prestigious Arjuna Award in New Delhi from President Ram Nath Kovind later in the day. One of his mates took the award on his behalf.
Meanwhile, the eight-year-old Shrimati had saved her friend from a train mishap. KIIT University was given with an award for Best Contribution to Promotion of Sports and Games.
Among other award winners, Asian Games double silver medallist Dutee Chand, weighlifters Bhakta Ram Desti, Jhili Dalabehera, Sneha Soren and ushu player Babulu Munda, were also awarded for Outstanding Achievements in Sports.
Radhakant Tripathy (Bhadrak), Badri Mishra (Puri), Mahendra Joshi (Nuapada), Kamakshya Majhi (Koraput), Ram Dash (Bolangir) and Abdul Khan (Keonjhar) received Rs 25,000 for social service.