A “Public Felicitation Ceremony” was organized for Ms. Dutee Chand on 3rd September 2018 at The Mayfair Convention, Bhubaneswar which was graced Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, Prof. Ganeshi Lal, as the Chief Guest.
Never imitate, be an icon by yourself: Ganeshi Lal
Dutee, who has made the State and the Nation proud by clinching double Silver Medals in 100mt and 200mt races at the Asian Games 2018, Jakarta was felicitated by the Hon’ble Governor of Odisha in presence of a galaxy of dignitaries amid a vivacious ceremony.
Placing his address, Prof. Ganeshi Lal advised Dutee, “make yourself absent when you are running and each of your 75 trillion cells should speak the language. When your willpower gets blended with abstinence you make a resolve to achieve the best. Despite your setbacks, it is your perseverance that propelled you ahead. Never imitate, be an icon by yourself. If you have self-confidence, then you can achieve the invincible. Wish you to be a flying girl“.
In her acceptance speech, Dutee Chand said, “I have come across many adversities. Had Dr. Achyuta Samanta not supported me, then I would not have achieved the unachievable. I ‘m immensely glad that Hon’ble CM of Odisha Sri Naveen Patnaik has created history in offering such huge incentive to an athlete that never happened before.”
Presiding over the ceremony, Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (LS), Bhubaneswar praised profusely Dutee for her superb feat and urged her to become a great Sports Ambassador.
Shri Anubhav Mohanty, Hon’ble Member of Parliament(RS) & Noted Cine Actor said, “Dutee, you have become an example for the entire women community.” He hailed Dr. Samanta for promoting players like Dutee especially in a time of her adversities. “By giving Dutee a whopping 3 crore rupees, Hon’ble CM of Odisha has given a message to the world reflecting his support and love to the Sporting Community”, he added.
Padma Shree Dilip Tirkey, Chairman, OTDC and Former Member of Parliament(RS) termed Dutee as a fighter, as she has proved to achieve big despite being born in a remote countryside. He also admired Dr. Samanta for promoting sports persons financially and morally.
At the outset, the Welcome Address was placed by Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS as well as the Convener of Public Felicitation Ceremony. He said it is a great pleasure to felicitate Dutee on this podium where we all of us had conveyed goodwill to her on 12th August. It seems incredible that Dutee has won 2 silver medals in the meantime and we have gathered here again to felicitate her. He hoped that as age is on her side, definitely she will do a miracle in the days to come.
Among the dignitaries, Shri Priyadarshi Mishra, Hon’ble MLA, Bhubaneswar North (Uttar); Mr. Ananta Narayan Jena, Hon’ble Mayor, Bhubaneswar and Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports & Youth Services and Tourism Department were present and spoke on the occasion which was participated by scores of eminent personalities from different walks of life. The most noteworthy fact was that as many as 90 people from Dutee’s native place attended the meeting including her own family members.