Utkal Media Journalists’ Association Marks National Press Day with Philanthropic Drive
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, 14 November: To commemorate National Press Day, Rayagada district unit of the Utkal Media Journalists’ Association organized a community outreach program at the local Shakti Old Age Home. During the visit, association members distributed fruits and dry rations to 25 residents and spent quality time interacting with them.
Operating on the principle that journalism should extend beyond news reporting to serve marginalized and vulnerable communities, the association observes National Press Day annually through social service initiatives.
Beyond this event, the organization actively runs several welfare drives across the district.
To promote the Odia language in remote pockets of Rayagada, members regularly distribute Chhabila Madhu Barnabodha (Odia primers), notebooks, pencils, erasers, and dry food to local students. Additionally, the group contributes to environmental conservation and pollution control by conducting sapling plantation drives in and around Rayagada town.
Led by Rayagada District President Dayananda Khadanga, the event was attended by Rayagada Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Satya Kumar Nanda as the Chief Guest, alongside social worker Jagadish Suni. Both guests handed out the relief items to the residents and commended the association’s humanitarian efforts, urging them to sustain such public-welfare initiatives. Association Secretary Manoj Sahu, Advisor K. Krishnamurti, and members Girish Sekhar Rath, Harinarayan Das, Sarbana Kumar, Mantu Dandasena, and Biswajit Jena, among others, were present to coordinate the program.
