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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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
