“Art, music, drama and other cultural activities are essential parts of life, and without them, life remains incomplete-” says Mr. Alok Verma, Director In-Charge, RSP
Employees of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) presented two mesmerizing dramas at the Civic Centre on 13th February 2025 in the Rajbhasha Natak Sandhya. Mr. Alok Verma, Director In-Charge, Rourkela Steel Plant was the Chief Guest of the function while Mrs. Namrata Verma, President, Deepika Mahila Sanghati, Mr. Biswaranjan Palai, ED (Works), Mr. Anil Kumar, ED (MM), Mr. M P Singh, ED (Mines), Mrs. Rita Rani, Vice President (DMS) were the Guests of Honour. The event was inaugurated by Mrs. Namrata Verma, and other dignitaries with the lighting up of the ceremonial lamp amidst recital of shlokas by Mr. Jyotirmaya Acharya, MOMT (EMD).
Addressing the gathering the Mr. Alok Verma profusely praised the talents of the employees who enacted the plays with perfection and precision. Emphasizing that art, music, drama and other cultural activities are essential parts of life, and without them, life remains incomplete Mr. Verma praised the employees who are pursuing their passion for art in spite of the tough life of a Steel Plant employee. “Let us keep nurturing our creative spirit alongside our industrial excellence,” he exhorted all the employees.
The first play of the evening was am Odia Geeti Natya, ‘Chakravyuh’ a musical drama based on the story of Abhimanyu from Mahabharata, that focussed on the themes of bravery, and the warrior’s inevitable sacrifice. The play written by Gana Kabi Vaishnava Pani was recreated by Mr. Prabhakar Patra, MOMT, SMS-II and directed by Mr. Prafulla Chandra Sethi, MOMT (CP-II).
The Hindi play that was staged thereafter was, ‘Ashadh ka ek Din’, based on a classic penned by Late Mohan Rakesh. The drama revolved around the iconic Sanskrit poet Kalidasa exploring themes of ambition, love, and destiny. The play was directed by Mr. Paresh Ranjan Mahato, SOST (Oxygen Plant).
Both the plays excelled in terms of story line, histrionics, dialogues, stagecraft, music and direction, and kept the audience glued to their seats till the end.
At the end the dignitaries presented mementoes to the artists as a token of appreciation for their stunning performance. Ms. Minni Roy, Rajbhasha Sahayak (RSP) was also felicitated for her long standing contribution to Rajbhasha. Mr. Gauranga Chandra Mallick and Mr. Sushant Giri, both SOST from SMS-2 Deptt enthralled the audience with their instrumental music during the interval.
Mr. Joydev Majumdar, Assistant Manager (PR) anchored the programme while Mr. Sasanka Pattnaik, Deputy Manager (PR) coordinated the felicitation ceremony. Ms. Lolati Toppo, AGM (PR-Rajbhasha) delivered the welcome address while Mr. Anil Jha, Deputy Manager (PR) proposed a formal vote of thanks. The programme was coordinated by PR-Rajbhasha team under the guidance of Mrs. Archana Satpathy, GM (PR) & COC and was attended by many Senior Officers of the Plant, theatre lovers and family members of the artists.
Artists of the Odia drama: Mr. Prafulla Chandra Sethi, MOMT (SMS-II), Mr. Ramesh Chandra Mohanty, Yard Master (T&RM), Mr. Panchanan Mallick, MT(Instrumentation), Mr. Sagar Munda, MOMT (SMS-II), Ms. Sandhya Rani Das, Executive Assistant (ED(Works) Secretariat, Mr. Laxmi Narayan Tripathy, Sr. Tech(Crane Maintenance), Mr. Anil Kumar Mallik, MOMT, SSM, Mr. Sushant Kumar Mahanti, MOMT (SMS-2), Mr. Amulya Kumar Bishoi, MOMT (SMS-2), Mr. Gaurang Chandra Parija, Assistant Roller (Plate Mill), Mr. Pranab Kumar Panigrahi, MOMT (Plate Mill), Mr. Ashok Kumar Raut, MOMT (Plate Mill) , Mr. Niranjan Dhal, Seniot Technician (Public Relation) and Ms. Puja Senapati
Artists of the Hindi drama: Mr. Saroj Chandra Kavi, Senior Operator (FM & TM), Mr. J.K. Mahapatra, Senior Operator (FM & TM), Mr. Khirod Kumar Badatya, Master Operator (FM &TM), Mr. Sabyasachi Dash, Office Assistant (Personnel – General Administration), Mr. Deepak Kumar Dey, Operator (Coke Oven), Mr. Ramesh Chandra Sethi MOMT (SPP), Mr. Gajendra Nath Mumu, Master Operator (FMM), Ms. Sweta Jha, OCT (HSM-2) , Ms. Susmita Sona, OCT (R & C Lab), Mr. Subhash Basu, Master Technician (HSM-2), Mr. Amit Kumar Rana, OCT (RMHP), Mr. Vikram Jha, Deputy Manager (Blast Furnace), Mr. Lakshman Chandra Mahanto (Power Distribution) and Mr. Bishnupriya Patnaik, OCT (R&C Lab),
