Service is the real honour, public trust is police’s greatest asset: IGP Satyajit Nayak
Akshya,Rout,Odishabarta
CUTTACK: Central Range Inspector General of Police Dr. Satyajit Nayak, IPS, has emphasised the importance of dedication, public service and coordinated efforts in ensuring the smooth and safe conduct of the Rath Yatra.
Speaking after receiving the ‘Sri Jagannath Seva Ratna Samman–2026’, Dr. Nayak said he considered the honour not as a personal recognition but as a tribute to every police officer and personnel, volunteer and others who contributed to the arrangements during the Rath Yatra.
“Rath Yatra is not merely a religious festival; it is a celebration of the faith, traditions, emotions and cultural heritage of the people of Odisha,” Dr. Nayak said. He noted that ensuring the safety of lakhs of devotees, maintaining law and order, managing traffic and facilitating smooth movement of people were among the major responsibilities of the police and administration during the festival.
He attributed the successful conduct of Rath Yatra-2026 to the coordinated efforts of the Odisha Police, district administration, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, servitors, volunteers, various government departments and the public.
Dr. Nayak particularly acknowledged the contribution of police personnel who remained away from their families for extended periods and performed their duties amid heat, rain and heavy crowds. Ensuring that devotees could have a safe darshan of Lord Jagannath and return home safely was the police’s foremost responsibility, he said.
He also appreciated the efforts of police and administrative teams involved in traffic management, parking arrangements, route diversions and facilitating emergency movement during the festival.
The honour, Dr. Nayak said, carried with it a greater responsibility to serve people with renewed dedication. “Service is the real honour and public trust is the police’s greatest asset,” he said.
Dr. Nayak expressed his gratitude to the organisers of the award and said the recognition would inspire him and others engaged in public service to work with greater dedication, commitment and humanity.
