Puri, Sept 11: Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Dr Satyajit Naik, IPS, was conferred the Biswaniyamtanka Ratha Seva Samman–2026 at a ceremony in Puri in recognition of his contribution to the safe, orderly and dignified conduct of the historic Ratha Yatra.
Accepting the honour, Dr Naik expressed gratitude to the organisers and dedicated the recognition to the police personnel, administrative officers, servitors, volunteers, emergency responders, medical teams, sanitation workers, transport personnel and citizens who worked together to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
Dr Naik said the honour was not merely a personal recognition but a tribute to the collective efforts behind the successful management of Ratha Yatra. He described the festival as an extraordinary expression of faith, equality, devotion and human unity, where Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath comes out of the sanctum to meet devotees, transcending distinctions of status, background and social identity.
Honoured and grateful to receive the Ratha Seva Sanman. 🙏
— Dr.Satyajit Naik,IPS (@Satya0168) September 11, 2026
I sincerely thank the organisers for this सम्मान and recognition. It is a privilege to serve the people and contribute towards the safe and peaceful conduct of our cherished traditions and festivals.
Jai Jagannath🙏 pic.twitter.com/w3AvTX5jOI
He said the three majestic chariots-Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana-carry the faith and emotions of millions of devotees. Ensuring their safe movement, along with the safety of pilgrims, was therefore not merely a policing responsibility but a sacred duty, he said.
Highlighting the successful conduct of Ratha Yatra 2026, Dr Naik underlined the importance of months of advance planning, inter-departmental coordination, field-level preparedness and community participation. The massive congregation of devotees, traffic management, heavy rainfall, medical emergencies, ceremonial movements and demanding working conditions posed significant challenges, he said, adding that the successful completion of the festival reflected the strength of coordinated teamwork.
He placed on record his appreciation for police personnel who worked tirelessly, often away from their families and under demanding conditions, to ensure the safety and dignity of devotees. He also acknowledged the contribution of temple servitors, temple and district administration, volunteers, emergency responders, medical teams, sanitation workers, transport personnel and citizens.
“The success of Ratha Yatra is never the achievement of one department or one individual. It is the achievement of Team Jagannath,” Dr Naik said, adding that he accepted the Samman on behalf of the entire team associated with the festival.
Reflecting on the larger meaning of policing, Dr Naik said the uniform represented both authority and responsibility. However, service in Jagannath Dham reminded police personnel that they were ultimately servants of the people and servants of Mahaprabhu, he said.
He observed that policing was not merely about maintaining order but also about protecting human dignity. Every devotee visiting Puri carries faith in his or her heart, and it is the responsibility of the police and administration to ensure that this faith is respected and that every pilgrim feels safe, secure and cared for.
Dr Naik further highlighted the universal character of the Jagannath tradition, which transcends caste, creed, language, region and social status. He said the spirit of Ratha Yatra offers a powerful message of inclusion, harmony and collective humanity at a time when societies can sometimes become divided by differences.
He said the recognition would further strengthen his commitment to a policing system that is firm against crime, sensitive towards citizens, compassionate towards devotees and responsive to society's needs.
Emphasising that the true reward of public service was not an award, Dr Naik said the real reward came when a devotee returned home safely, an elderly pilgrim received timely assistance, a separated child was reunited with his or her parents, and lakhs of devotees could participate in the festival and return with happy memories.
“That is our real Ratha Seva,” he said.
Dr Naik expressed gratitude to Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath, Maa Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra, seeking their blessings to continue serving society with sincerity, courage and compassion.
He concluded by dedicating the Biswaniyamtanka Ratha Seva Samman–2026 to all those who work silently behind the scenes to make the Ratha Yatra safe, peaceful and successful, and prayed for peace, prosperity and harmony in Odisha.
