New Delhi, Sep 6: Renowned Odia journalist Sangram Keshari Sardangi, Editor, Argus Digital, was conferred with the prestigious Odisha Journalism Award at a ceremony organized by Pallibani Mission at the C D Deshmukh Auditorium, IIC, New Delhi.

The event, held on Saturday, celebrated excellence in journalism across India and Odisha.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev presented the award to Sarangi, recognising his impactful contributions to digital journalism and media innovation.

Sarangi is a household name in Odisha as a News Anchor. He also serves as the editor of Argus Digital, a leading Odia and English news platform. He also hosts Argus Digital Podcast — the No. 1 podcast in the state.

This year marked the 8th edition of the Odisha Journalism Awards. Alongside Sarangi, two other distinguished Odia journalists were honoured: Satyasundar Barik, special correspondent of The Hindu, and Ratnakar Bhoi, Sambalpur district correspondent for Sambad.

Union Minister Pradhan, while honouring all the nominated journalists and extending greetings to those who have been recognized with journalism awards at the national and state levels, praised their work and contributions.

On this occasion, he stated: “On April 1, 1936, Odisha was established as the first language-based state in the country. This was made possible due to the excellence and depth of the Odia language, and the passion, urgency, and movements led by our great personalities. After 100 years, in 2036, Odisha will celebrate the centenary of its formation as a separate province.

“Every society needs an identity. The greatest identity of the Odia society is Lord Jagannath, and there is no doubt about it. In today’s context, it is essential to understand and communicate the intellectual depth and vastness of our Odia society. The time has come to bring Odisha’s prosperity, cultural heritage, and image into the national discourse in Delhi,” added the Union Education Minister.

The Education Minister further added: “Instead of always focusing on politics, law and order, and controversies, discussions should also center around the depth of a society—its heritage, culinary culture, and traditions.”

Giving an example, the Union Minister highlighted Odisha’s glorious history and said: “Odisha is a prosperous, intellectually rich, and powerful state. Emperor Kharavela was the architect of modern Odisha. Even before him, the Kalinga War between Emperor Ashoka and the Odias conveyed a profound message. The collective unity and willpower of the Odias transformed Ashoka from ‘Chandashoka’ (Ashoka the Fierce) to ‘Dharmashoka’ (Ashoka the Righteous). The path of Buddhism emerged and spread through Odisha.”

The Pallibani Mission, a historic Delhi-based organization working in literature, culture, and journalism, also presented the Indian Journalism Awards to three eminent national journalists. The recipients included Sanjeev Paliwal, Executive Editor of Aaj Tak; Pratap Somvanshi, Managing Editor of Hindustan; and Sourabh Dwivedi, Founding Editor of The Lallantop.

The ceremony was attended by senior media professionals and dignitaries, including Santwana Bhattacharya, Group Editor of The New Indian Express. Pallibani Mission Chairman Ramachandra Nath emphasised the importance of recognizing journalistic integrity and innovation in the digital age.

This recognition not only highlights Sarangi’s individual achievements but also reflects the growing influence of digital journalism in Odisha and beyond.

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