Raseshwari Devi Ji Receives Seva Samman Award at Odisha Spiritual Conclave 2026
Raseshwari Devi Ji Receives Seva Samman Award
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Distinguished spiritual teacher and Upanishadic scholar Raseshwari Devi Ji received the Seva Samman Award on 23rd Feb at the 2026 Spiritual Conclave Odisha in recognition of her many years of service towards providing spiritual education and bringing about increased social awareness. The award was presented to her by Surama Padhy, Hon’ble Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly in the company of many other distinguished individuals from the spiritual, public, and cultural sectors.
The Seva Samman Award recognizes Raseshwari Devi Ji's ongoing commitment to promoting the Upanishadic message to all people in various sectors through public talks, meditation programs, and other value-based programmes to help them experience their everyday lives with spirituality at the forefront. The conclave's organisers noted that she had increased awareness related to moral behaviour, self-discipline, and inner development for each of the participants through this outreach.
Hosting the event were MBC TV and BS TV with many eminent guests from politics and culture in Odisha. Pabitra Sounta, Mangu Khilla, and Golaka Mohapatra were just a few of them. Senior leaders such as Arabinda Dhali and Priyadarshi Mishra were also in attendance. Two Padma awardees, Sudarshan Sahoo and Adwaita Gadanayak, represent cultural harmony by their presence at the conclave.
As a devoted disciple of Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj, Raseshwari Devi Ji began her spiritual path after finishing her higher studies in the subjects of mathematics and English. At the age of 22, on October 15, 1988, she took sannyas (a vow of renouncing material possessions) and dedicated her life to spreading Shri Krishna Bhakti (the practice of love for God through devotion) and the philosophy of the Upanishads (ancient Indian scriptures that explore the ultimate nature of reality). Rasedhwari Devi Ji has conducted over 300 spiritual programs in 140 cities and 11 states throughout the years; but has taken a more active role in Odisha, where she has set up 21 meditation centres and spiritual development centres under her guidance.
In recent years, she has extended her spiritual outreach through various digital media channels and has provided spiritual learning opportunities to a broader audience throughout the coastal and semi-urban areas of Odisha. Her new outreach programs for children and youth, such as Bal Sanskar Shivir (children's moral education camps) and Yuva Utthan Shivir (youth development camps), continue to engage children and youth through programs aimed at moral education, cultural awareness, and personal development. In December, she also had the honor of meeting with Droupadi Murmu, the Honourable President of India, to celebrate her Sanyas Diwas (the anniversary of someone taking the vow of sannyas).
Receiving the Seva Samman Award at Spiritual Conclave Odisha 2026 marks a breakthrough for Rasedhwari Devi Ji’s contribution to public and spiritual causes. Observers of this award view it as proof of her contribution to the advancement of spiritual education and community-based initiatives in the changing landscape of India's social development.
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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
