Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Padma Vibhusan Raghunath Mohapatra and Odissi danseuse Sonal Mansingh
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik (Photo: Facebook)
Perhaps for the first time ever, two eminent persons from Odisha – Odissi exponent Sonal Mansingh and sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra — were nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President of India.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Padma Vibhusan Raghunath Mohapatra and Odissi danseuse Sonal Mansingh.
He expressed his deep gratitude to President Ramnath Kovind for nominating two distinguished personalities who have made immense contribution in promotion of Orissisan art and culture.
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Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also congratulated the two and said, “There could not have been better news for the people of Odisha on the auspicious occasion of Ratha Jatra.”
Interestingly, Raghunath Mohapatra had unsuccessfully contested the Rajya Sabha elections a few years ago as a ruling BJD-backed Independent candidate.
Earlier this month, BJP president Amit Shah had visited Mohapatra’s house in Bhubaneswar.
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