TNI Bureau: London-based Odia community leader Siba Ranjan Biswal will be honoured with the prestigious Ratnashri Puraskar at Utkala Utsaba–2026, to be held in New Delhi on January 14.

Biswal, who works with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), UK, is widely recognised for his contributions to community service and leadership among the Odia diaspora in the United Kingdom. He played a significant role in the establishment and installation of the deities of Lord Jagannath in Manchester, strengthening cultural and spiritual ties among the Odia community abroad.

In recognition of his efforts in human empowerment, social service, and support for India’s nation-building initiatives, the World Odisha Society will confer the award during the 5th Foundation Day celebrations of Utkala Utsaba.

The event is expected to be a grand cultural gathering showcasing Odisha’s rich art forms and heritage. Representatives from more than 72 countries are likely to attend. Dignitaries expected at the programme include Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, along with senior ministers from the state and central governments.

Biswal moved to the UK in 2006 and initially worked in Manchester before joining TCS. He continues to remain actively associated with the Odisha Society of the UK. Recently, he founded Essar Events, an initiative aimed at serving the Indian diaspora and promoting cultural exchange between India and the UK.