The 18th Ekalabya Award was conferred on chess WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty at a function here today. Rural Development Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha presented the prestigious annual award for the year 2010. The award carried a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakhs and a statute.

Chess IM Debasish Das and international woman rower Pratima Puhana were felicitated on the occasion. Sports and Youth Services Minister Prabin Chandra Bhanjadeo handed over citations and a cash prizes of Rs 25,000 each to Das and Puhana. Parliament Member and Trustee of Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) B J Panda was present in the function.
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PHOTO: Award recepients and guests at the presentation function of the Ekalaby Award in Bhubaneswar on January 29, 2011.