Kalahandi, YNN (Rajat Bansal): Dr Rakesh Kumar Bishi has been conferred the highest academic honour in the field of education, the Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) degree, by Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar. This accolade was awarded for his groundbreaking research dissertation titled “Paschima Odishara Lokagita : Eka Soundarjyatattwika Adhyayana”, which he submitted as part of his academic pursuit. The dissertation was evaluated by a distinguished panel of external examiners, including Professor Dr Prasanna Kumar Swain, Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar; Professor Dr Sabita Pradhan, Vice-Chancellor of Odia University, Sakhigopal; and former Professor Dr Narayan Sahu. The work received high praise for its scholarly depth and contribution to the understanding of Western Odisha’s folk traditions. Currently, Professor Dr Bishi serves as a Senior Lecturer at Kesinga Degree College, where he was appointed by the government. Hailing from Kesinga, he is the only son of renowned educationist Bipin Bihari Bishi and Kusum Manjari Bishi. His achievement has brought pride not only to his family—his wife Manasi Bishi, daughter Ananya Alankruta, and son Abhinandit—who extended their heartfelt congratulations, but also to the wider community. Well-wishers from Kesinga town and various fields of Kalahandi district have showered him with accolades, celebrating his remarkable success.
