Orissa government to bat for Padma award for 'bhajan samrat' Bhikari Bal

The Orissa government would recommend the name of 'bhajan samrat' Bhikari Bal for the Padma Shri awards this year.

"We will strongly recommend the name of the legendary bhajan singer for the coveted award this year," state culture director RN Kar said during a visit to the ailing singer at his home in Bakhrabad in the Cuttack district yesterday.

A delegation, headed by the state culture minister Debi Prasad Mishra, also handed over a cheque of Rs 50,000 to the octogenarian, bedridden for the past several days.

The culture department would also urge the health department to take care of his health.

"He has contributed tremendously towards spreading the message of Lord Jagannath across the globe through his bhajans," said the culture minister.