Athagarh, Jul 10: The 125th birth anniversary of renowned scholar and Padma Shri awardee Banikantha Nimai Charan Harichandan was celebrated with great reverence at the Biju Patnaik Kalyan Mandap in Athagarh on Thursday.

The commemorative event was organised by the Banikantha Smruti Sansad. The memorial meeting was presided over by the organisation’s secretary, Ram Narayan Mohanty. Athagarh Sub-Collector Prahallad Narayan Sharma attended as the chief guest, while Badamba MLA Bijay Kumar Dalabehera graced the occasion as the guest of honour. Eminent litterateur Dr. Narayan Panda delivered the keynote address.

Malay Kumar Harichandan, grandson of the late Banikantha, welcomed the gathering. Advocate and Smruti Committee advisor Bikram Das coordinated the proceedings. The programme began with floral tributes offered by the dignitaries to the portrait of the late scholar.

Speaking on the occasion, the guests paid rich tributes to Banikantha Nimai Charan Harichandan, describing him as a towering literary and cultural figure whose legacy brought Athagarh recognition not only across Odisha but throughout the country. They highlighted his lifelong dedication to Lord Jagannath and recalled that he spent the final years of his life in Puri with the sole aim of serving the deity.

The speakers also remembered the deeply symbolic end to his life, noting that his wish to remain devoted to Lord Jagannath was fulfilled as he passed away on the auspicious day of Bahuda Yatra, a moment they described as the Lord calling his devoted servant back into His divine presence.