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Creating Success StoriesLaxmi
Narayan Bhuyan, President, OSA August 16, 2004 Dear Friends, Welcome to the first newsletter of the second year
during my OSA presidency. It was good to see some of you during the 35th
Annual Convention at Dallas, TX. I also missed many of you who could not
attend the convention. The convention was a great success. I would like to thank the Convener Dr. Niranjan Tripathy and his team of dedicated volunteers for their enthusiasm, time and effort in hosting the convention. We enjoyed the occasion thoroughly.
For the benefit of those who could not attend the General Body meeting on July 4, 2004, I like to briefly outline the OSA progress report for last year in this letter. (1) We have added a large number of new life members, patrons and benefactors last year. We started with $530 in OSA account, but ended up with about $18,000 in one year mainly due to our membership drive. This is in addition to $65,000, which is being currently held under fixed deposit. (2) We have published electronic newsletters regularly bringing news about our chapters and other OSA matters during the last year. This is solely due to the vision and hard work of our newsletter editor Dr. Bigyani Das. I am so thankful to her for her dedication to this job. (3)
An Annual Symposium on Orissa Development was held in
Bhubaneswar Swosti Plaza hotel in December 2003 to highlight various
contributions made by the OSA members to the development activities in the
state of Orissa. The meeting was inaugurated by the Chief Minister and was
attended by many OSA members, NGO representatives, local volunteers, and
government officials. (4) An NRO cell in the General Administration department of Orissa government has been established under the supervision of Mr. Pandey (Sp. Secy. - GA). An NRO Facilitation Center (NROFC) is being registered as a non-profit society following the Public-Private-People Partnership (PPPP) model. Mr. Sahadev Sahoo and Dr. Dhanada Mishra have been appointed as OSA coordinators to the NRO cell and NROFC. I thank them for their effort and time. Mr. Sahoo attended the Dallas convention and presented a brief report on these activities. A letter from Dhanada is contained in this newsletter for further information. The NROFC is under the process of being officially registered at present. The fist meeting and official election will be held in December 2004 at Bhubaneswar. (5) The OSA Educational committee has been very active past year. It has gathered useful information on scholarships and adopt-a-school program, collected funds for CIT and NIT, and participated in proposal writing for an IIT in Orissa. Thanks to Drs. Rabi Mahapatra and Sukant Mohapatra for their leadership. (6) We have created two new OSA awards “Utkal Mani Gopabandhu Award for Orissa Development” and “Yuva Kalashree Award” starting this year. We received a number of nominations for all OSA awards. The OSA Awards committee consisting of Niranjan Mishra and Birendra Jena has worked hard in handling these award nominations and creating the new awards. I congratulate all the awardees and thank the Awards committee for its effort. (7) Finally, based on valuable suggestions from OSA members, we proposed many constitutional amendments that were approved in the General Body Meeting this year. These amendments are listed in this newsletter for your reference. I thank Drs Sitakantha Dash and Amiya Mohanty for all their hard work in this regard. Regarding plans for next year, we will continue various activities that we initiated last year. An election will be held for the new OSA office bearers in April/May 2005. Next year, the OSA convention will be held in Southern California with Mr. Kirtan Behera as the Convener. We expect a very large gathering. Please stay tuned to the news that would come out from the convention committee in the next few months. The NRO cell of the Orissa Government and NROFC are planning to organize a “Prabasi Oriya Dibasa” around December 18, 2005 at Bhubaneswar. You will hear more about the function soon. If you are visiting Orissa this year, please plan to attend. Sincerely, Laxminarayan Bhuyan OSA President
Income:
Registration ~$15K Food Collection
~$14K Sponsors/Advertisement ~$19K Total $48,000
Expense:
Stage Expense
~$7K Youth ~$1.5K Souvenir/Directory ~$6.5K Registration Related ~$7K Total $49,100
NB: The convention committee members are expecting to receive the diffrence amount of $1000/- from those members who have volunteered to contribute for the convention.
July 4, 2004: Hilton DFW Executive Conference Center
Present on podium:
Laxmi Narayan Bhuyan (LNB), President, Hari Arjun Patro (HAP), Secretary-Treasurer, Bigyani Das (BD), Editor of Newsletter (recording), Nick Patnaik (NP), Immediate Past President.
Abbreviations:
Meeting commenced: 10:45 AM
Although all the executive members were present in the meeting hall at 10:00 AM, because of the show of the documentary on Fakir Mohan Senapati, members could not arrive on time. Thus the starting time was delayed. (Learning: Every member has a role on making OSA events successful and timely).
Introduction
Financial Statement
Secretary/Treasurer Hari Arjun Patro presented financial statement. The OSA operating account now stands at $18,xxx as opposed to
$544 when the present office bearers assumed charge last year. He also stated that at present OSA's fixed deposit fund has $65,530.14.
General Body Meeting (GBM) Rules:
(1) It was decided at the beginning that only four speakers will be allowed to speak on each item under discussion. Following the discussion, a resolution will be proposed and seconded, followed by a vote. If a resolution fails, more discussion can be held to amend the resolution. This process helped keep the timing in the GBM.
(2) There was discussion regarding continuation of the OSA operations at the time of transition in office bearers. It was unanimously agreed that the outgoing office bearers are required to hand over all OSA documents in the General Body meeting following the election. However, since this provision has been put as an amendment of the constitution, the resolution becomes moot.
Motions
All the constitutional amendments, proposed by the OSA constitution committee, were approved unanimously (or almost unanimously) item by item. Here are some highlights of the approved amendments.
1. Motions
Secretary Position Created
The duties and responsibilities of Secretary as posted to all the members were discussed. Secretary's position and duties were approved unanimously. It was the consensus of the general body that the secretary should be elected separately.
Modified Duties of the Treasurer
The treasurer should supervise the OSA fund. A three-member committee chaired by the treasurer and with two more members selected by the president should look after the fund.
How the Patron and Beneficiary fees should be used?
The amount for life membership from the patron and beneficiary fees should be deposited in the OSA fund and the rest may be available for OSA's expense.
Modified Duties of the Vice President
Vice President should act as one of the Co-convenor for the conventions to facilitate the involvement of the National OSA executive members in the convention hosted by the chapters. Vice President should also look after OSA awards.
2. Next Year's Election Committee
The election committee members were nominated from the floor. Several names were proposed and finally the following names were finalized.
Chairman: Raj Kishore Pati, Wisconsin
3. Yuva Kala-Vikash Award
The President proposed that Yuva Kala-Vikash award should carry a cash amount of $500.00. Generous OSA members are invited to support this award through OSA.
This was approved unanimously.
4. Request for OSA Support for 2004 Convention
Acting upon a request by the OSA Convention 2004 organizers to support expenses towards printing and mailing of the OSA souvenir and directory, the OSA BOG recommended to the General Body that $5,000 from OSA funds be given to the OSA 2004 convention if needed.
This was approved in the GBM unanimously.
Announcements
1. Pravasi Oriya Divas in December 2005 in Bhubaneswar, (Sahadev Sahu)
2. OSA 2005 Convention during July 4th weekend in Southern California
Miscellaneous
1. Arati Nanda from Houston, Texas read the following:
The consensus of the 35th annual convention of OSA held in Dallas, Texas on the Independence Day of America is that it whole heartedly condemns the system of dowry in Orissa. The convention hereby urges the assembled members of the oriya community to help eliminate this harmful system from Orissa. The first step is to implement it in the education system of Orissa to enlighten the coming generation.
2. Nihar Samantra from Bangalore, India:
We have an Oriya association in Bangalore and we engage the Oriya community through various cultural and developmental activities. I am suggesting that we should globally integrate all Oriya associations and have a World Orissa Association umbrella which can overview and extract the common themes for Oriyas to come closer. We have organized IT road show and we have raised worth $100,000 for different causes such as Cyclone and Flood etc.
3. Jyotsna Mishra, Alabama:
Seminars in OSA are as important as cultural programs. However, because of the timings the afternoon seminars had low attendance. The program should be planned with the vision to facilitate attendance in seminars. The other problem was that the seminars were not widely circulated before and many convention attendees were not aware of the seminars.
4. Sahadev Sahoo, Orissa:
Orissa NRO cell is effective. Oriyas who want to contribute to the development of Orissa can now get guidance and assistance from the Orissa Government. The NRO cell should work with public/private partnership. It should have its own governing body with President and Secretary Positions. We are also planning for NRO day in Bhubaneswar, Orissa in December 2005. All the Oriyas are invited to attend.
Closing Remarks:
Thanks to Niranjan Tripathy and 2004 Convention Organizers for a great job and true volunteer spirit (Laxmi Narayan Bhuyan).
Meeting adjourned: 13:15 PM
Dear All;
We had a meeting with the CM - who was kind enough to entertain our request for an appointment at a very short notice in light of Mr. Sahadev Sahu's impending departure for Dallas. The following were discussed and decided:
1. We appraised the CM about the discussions held so far between myself, Mr. Sahadev Sahu, Mr. Pandey (Sp. Secy. - GA) and OSA representatives regarding the proposed structure of the NRO Center.
2. As per the suggestion of Mr. Pandey being the Officer in charge of the NRO Cell, the NRO Facilitation Center (NROFC) will be registered as a non-profit society following the Public-Private-People Partnership (PPPP)model followed in other states such as Gujurat.
3. As per the draft bye-laws framed by Mr. Sahadev Sahu, The CM verbally agreed that three senior government officers (Secretary - Industry, Secretary - IT as well as Spl. Secretary - GA) will be on the executive board representing the government.
4. The other members of the Executive Board as proposed by the draft byelaws may be appointed/nominated temporarily in order to register the society and elections may be held at the time of the Annual Orissa Development Symposium in December.
5. Mr. Pandey has volunteered to coordinate with IPICOL and Industries
department to organise for infrastructure in form of office space and
personnel to get the NROFC going initially. It is expected that the NROFC will raise its own resources subsequently from various activities, sources, schemes such as the UNIDO project etc. Some seed money also may be made available by the government.
6. The executive committee will meet every three months and will review
activities and pro-actively set the agenda for the center. These activities can be reviewed and directions for the year can be set at the annual general body meeting to be conveniently co-hosted along side the Orissa Development Symposium. The center will organise the Orissa Development Symposium from this year onwards.
Finally I must say that the meeting was very cordial and the government is very supportive of our ideas and proposals. It is up to us now as to how quickly we can move things on the ground. I suggest that OSA take the opportunity to discuss the proposed bylaws thoroughly at its convention and discuss with Mr. Sahadev Sahu all relevant issues so that the society can be registered and start functioning shortly after his return.
Regards,
1. Distinguished Oriya Award
Orissa Society of Americas: Certificate of Honor
The Distinguished Oriya Award for the year 2004 is presented to Dr. Jagannath Prasad Das in recognition of his outstanding accomplishment in his area of expertise and service to the people of Orissa.
Plaque:
Orissa Society of Americas honors Dr. Jagannath Prasad Das by presenting him with the 2004
DAS, Jagannath Prasad, M.A., Ph.D., Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada; university professor emeritus; b.Puri, India, 20 Jan. 1931; s. Sri Biswanath and Nilomoni (Mohanty) D.; came to Canada 1968; e. Utkal Univ. B.A. 1951; Patna Univ. M.A. (Gold Medallist) 1953; Univ. of London, Inst. of Psychiatry, Ph.D. 1957; m. Gita, d. R.C. Dasmohapatra, Jamirapalgarh, India 1955; children: Satya, Sheela; UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, UNIV. OF ALBERTA; former Dir., Developmental Disabilities Centre now named the J.P.Das Developmental Disabilities Centre, Univ. of Alberta; began teaching in India; subsequently at George Peabody Coll. and Univ. of Calif. at Los Angeles before present position; rec'd Kennedy Foundation Fellowship 1963-64; Nuffield Fellowship 1972; Harris Award of International Reading Assoc.; University Rsch. Prize 1987; Fellow, Am. Pscychol. Assn.; Am. Psychol. Soc.; Cdn. Psychol. Assn.; Royal Soc. of Canada 1999; author The Working Mind 1998; Das-Naglieri Cog. Assmt. System 1997; Cognitive Planning 1996; Assessment of Cognitive Processes 1994; Theory and Research in Learning Disabilities 1982; Intelligence and Learning 1981; Simultaneous and Successive Cognitive Processes 1979; Mental Retardation for Special Educators 1978; Verbal Conditioning and Behavior 1969; Manasika Byadhi (Mental Illness) 1962; Samaja (Soc.) 1956; also numerous scient. articles in learned and prof. journs.; his books and tests translated into Finnish, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean; Home: 11724-38a Ave., Edmonton, Alta. T6J 0L9; Office: Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta. T6G 2E5
J.P. Das
2. Kalashree Award
Recipients: 1. Mr. Arun Das; 2. Mrs. Banalata Misra
Presentation: Plaque, Certificate of Honor.
Recipient No. 1. Mr. Arun Das
Orissa Society of Americas - Certificate of Honor
The Kalashree Award for the year 2004 is presented to Mr. Arun Das in recognition of his contribution for the promotion of Oriya art and culture in North America.
Plaque:
In recognition of his demonstrated artistic talents as a painter, graphic designer, art director etc. and his efforts in promoting Oriya art and culture in North America, the Orissa Society of Americas honors Mr. Arun Das by presenting him with the 2004 Kalashree Award. His continued service to OSA in organizing cultural events at annual conventions and designing of OSA logo is also duly recognized.
Recipient No. 2. Ms Banalata Mishra
Orissa Society of Americas - Certificate of Honor
The Kalashree Award for the year 2004 is presented to Mrs. Banalata Misra in recognition of her contribution for the promotion of Oriya art and culture in North America. Plaque:
In recognition of her pioneering efforts in promoting Oriya art and culture in North America through vocal performance, radio programs, sponsoring artists from Orissa and organizing cultural events, the Orissa Society of Americas honors Mrs. Banalata Misra by presenting her with the 2004 Kalashree Award. Her continued service to OSA in organizing cultural events at annual conventions is also duly recognized.
3. Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das Memorial Award
Recipient: Mrs. Jayashree.(Ranu) Mahanti
Presentation: Plaque with a picture of Gopabandhu Das, Certificate of Honor.
Orissa Society of Americas - Certificate of Honor
The Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das Memorial Award for the year 2004 is presented to Mrs. Jayashree (Ranu) Mahanty in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Orissa in areas of humanitarian and community services.
Plaque:
The Orissa Society of Americas honors Mrs. Jayashree (Ranu) Mahanti by presenting her with the 2004 Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das Memorial Award in recognition of her outstanding dedicated volunteer service to the underprivileged people of Orissa. For past nine years, Mrs. Mahanti has been involved in several humanitarian projects such as child welfare, healthcare, vocational education to women etc. in various parts of Orissa. She has also been involved in fundraising efforts in North America to finance these projects. Her accomplishments and exemplary selfless service to humanity will be an inspiration for others to take up voluntary work in Orissa.
4. Subrina Biswal Memorial Award for High School Graduates Recipient: Mr. Abhisek Chandan Khandai Presentation: Certificate of Honor., A onetime scholarship of $1000. Orissa Society of Americas - Certificate of Honor
The Subrina Biswal Memorial Award for the year 2004 is presented to Mr. Abhisek Chandan Khandai in recognition of his outstanding accomplishment as a graduating High School Student.
5. Youth Volunteer Award
Recipient: Mr. Dhirendra Kar Presentation: Plaque, Certificate of Honor.
Orissa Society of Americas - Certificate of Honor
The Youth Volunteer Award for the year 2004 is presented to Mr. Dhirendra Kar in recognition of his outstanding voluntary service.
Plaque:
The Orissa Society of Americas honors Mr. Dhirendra Kar by presenting the 2004 Youth Volunteer Award in recognition of his outstanding voluntary service. Since his childhood, Mr. Kar has been actively involved in various community activity events both in Orissa and United States. Most notable is his involvement during the devastating supercyclone of 1999 in which Mr. Kar not only did raise funds, he also was involved in rescue and cleanup operations in the cyclone affected area. His efforts in improving science education in high schools of Orissa are also duly recognized.
6. Yuva Kalavikash Award
Recipient: Miss Priyanka Patnaik
Presentation: Plaque, Certificate of Honor.
Orissa Society of Americas - Certificate of Honor
The Yuva Kalavikash Award for the year 2004 is presented to Miss Priyanka Patnaik in recognition of her outstanding contribution for promoting Oriya art, literature and culture.
Plaque:
The Orissa Society of Americas honors Miss Priyanka Patnaik by presenting her the 2004 Yuva
Kalavik |
Distinguished Oriya Award, its highest award. Dr. Das has been acclaimed as one of the world's foremost cognitive psychologists and has made significant contributions to cognitive psychology research. He has also authored several books that have been translated into a number of international languages. His efforts in raising awareness of learning disability and other intellectual problems among the people of Orissa and his salutary work to boost learning efficiency of the underprivileged children of Bhubaneswar is also duly recognized.
ash Award in recognition of her outstanding
contribution to promote Oriya art and culture in North America. Miss Patnaik is a talented artiste and has been
promoting Oriya art and culture since her childhood through Odissi dance performances, vocal recitals and artwork. She has also represented Oriya culture in various multicultural community events in Canada.