Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik seeks Centre’s intervention for continuation of UNESCO Kalinga Prize

Former CM Naveen Patnaik urges Centre to continue UNESCO Kalinga Prize, highlighting its significance and Odia pride.

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Monday (August 12, 2024) urged the Centre not to discontinue UNESCO Kalinga Prize, a prestigious international award in the field of science, which was instituted by his father legendary Biju Patnaik in 1952.  

“The UNESCO Kalinga Prize was made possible with generous grant of 1,000 pounds to UNESCO, Paris from Kalinga Foundation Trust in the year 1951 of which Biju Babu was the Founder President Trust. The prize is the only international award from India in the field of popularisation of science,” said Mr. Patnaik in a letter addressed to Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology.

He said that over the years, it has been highly coveted prize and has also become a symbol of Odia identity at the international level.

“After successful completion of 50 years of UNESCO Kalinga Prize, it was decided in the year 2002 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister that Department of Science and Technology, Odisha Government and Kalinga Foundation Trust would act as the partners and donors of the prize and share the expenses of UNESCO Kalinga Prize in the ratio of 6:4:4,” said the LoP.

The former CM said, “I am now pained to learn that the Department of Science and Technology has decided to stop supporting for this prize.”

According to him, as many as 72 scientists including seven Nobel laureates such as Louis de Brogile, Julian Huxiey, Bertrand Russel, Karl von Frisch, Arthur C Clarke. Fred Hoyle and Sergei Kapitza have been awarded with the prize.

The Biju Janata Dal President said, “the Kalinga Prize is not just a symbol of Odia pride but it had set a legacy of independent India in the comity of nations globally. Imagine the kind of efforts Biju Patnaik would have put as a 36-year-old young man travelling all the way to Paris and negotiate with UNESCO to set up an international prize for popularization of science.”