By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: On the occasion of World Organ Donation Day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday, presented awards to family members of recipients of the Suraj Award and felicitated volunteers, institutions and response forces for their support during the Bahanaga train tragedy.
Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallick , Health & Family Welfare Minister Niranjan Pujari Chief Secretary PK Jena, Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian , SRC and ACS Revenue & DM Satyabrata Sahu and MD OSDMA were among those present.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the emergence of human values, and compassion just after the Bahanaga incident has re-established our trust in the conscience of our society.
He further said, “The incident at Bahanaga reminds us that disasters can strike at any time and anywhere. We need to enhance the capacities of our response teams and community volunteers to respond to such unpredictable disasters in a better manner. We require being in a constant state of preparedness.”
Recalling the contribution of people and agencies, he said that the people of Bahanaga, local volunteers, institutions and response forces have held our heads high with their timely, selfless service.
The CM offered condolences to the people who lost their lives in the accident.He described the incident as a tragedy that shook the nation with numerous deaths, severe injuries, immense pain and unimaginable suffering. He offered condolences and sympathy to the family members of the deceased. He also congratulated all the volunteers and organisations who were felicitated.
He appreciated the role of the district administration led by Balasore Collector.The role of people and administration during the tragedy will be remembered for all time to come, he added.At the outset, the CM said that today is the day to realise the value of service and sacrifice in society. It’s a day to reset our goal for a beautiful future.
Congratulating all, he said that service to people and helping others during times of need brings self-satisfaction. It makes our life meaningful.
The Chief Minister also thanked the family members of the recipients of the Suraj Award. Late Master Sudhanshu Sekhar Lenka of Jagatsinghpur district, Late Tanuja Kar of Cuttack district, and Late Prasenjit Mohanty of Bhubaneswar received the Suraj Award. Their vital organs were to save precious human lives. Thanking the family members of the Suraj Award winners, the CM said that they will always be remembered for their inspiring and exemplary humanitarian acts. The family members of Suraj Award winners received a cash award of Rs 5 Lakh each.
The CM also paid tributes to the late Suraj Behera on whose name this award is instituted and said that the sacrifice made by his parents has encouraged organ donation in the state. They have set an inspiring example for society.
Among those who were felicitated are ODRAF, NDRF, 108 Ambulance, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, SCB & MCH Cuttack, BMC Bhubaneswar, Fire & Emergency Services, Collector and SP Balasore, Fakir Mohan Medical College Balasore, Balasore DHH, North Odisha Chamber of Commerce, several voluntary and charitable organisations, social workers and individual volunteers.
Collector Balasore, sharing his experience in the aftermath of the tragedy, said that the entire state and district administration swung into action to save as many lives as possible. He said all the senior officers and 5T Secretary monitored the situation round-the-clock. Zero casualty model of CM was followed all through this humongous exercise, he added.
