Seven young artists from Odisha have been awarded with Bismilla Khan National Youth Award for the year 2013-14 by Kendra Sangit Natak Academy. Rabi Ratan Sahu 35 from Bargarh district, Gaisilat block Buromunda village is one among them. Rabi Ratan has been awarded for his contribution to Sambalpuri folk dance but we investigated about the Folk Academy at Buromunda for which he has received the award but our team could not find any Sambalpuri Folk Academy at Buromunda.
Further investigation revealed that after he was unsuccessful in his +2 examination he did DMLT course and started working at pathology. Later on moved to Bhubaneswar and came in contact with Prabhas Singh present Bargarh MP who was working as the state museum as curator. Rabi started working as a cultural broker for cultural troupe and people of western Odisha.
He was actively involved in the election propagation campaign of Prabhs Singh in 2014 which is proved from the photo posted. Now this photo speaks volume about how Rabi has been appeased with National Youth Award by Bargarh MP Prabhas Singh after acquiring power. Sri Singh has misused his power and position and helped his worker to get the award. And this is how many true artists from the region have been denied recognition and benefits.