Baripada | Dated: 23/10/2024 – After making history by representing India in the women’s national rugby team and participating in her first international tournaments held in China and Sri Lanka, Sandhyarani Tudu received a grand felicitation in Mayurbhanj upon her return. The event was organized by the vigilant citizens’ group Bhanja Sena, which welcomed her at Palabani Bypass, the entry point to Baripada. Following the reception, a road rally was conducted up to Sahid Smruti Bhavan, where a felicitation ceremony and the Foundation Day celebration of the Future Star Sports Academy — where Sandhyarani trains — took place. In the Asia Emirates Rugby Sevens Series Leg-1 held in China, the Indian women’s team played five matches, during which Sandhyarani Tudu emerged as the top scorer with 24 points. She scored the first try against the Philippines and played a crucial role in helping India move from 10th to 6th position by scoring the winning try against the UAE. Later, in Leg-2 of the Asia Emirates Rugby Sevens Series held in Sri Lanka, she once again contributed significantly by scoring 5 points for India in five matches. At today’s event, Bhanja Sena Town President Raja Khan and youth members organized the bike rally. At Sahid Smruti Bhavan, the Chief Guest, Dr. Krushnachandra Mahapatra, Hon’ble Minister of Housing & Urban Development and Public Enterprises, Government of Odisha, felicitated the international rugby star Sandhyarani Tudu. Among other distinguished guests were Additional District Magistrate Dukhbandhu Nayak, District Sports Officer Subhashis Nayak, District Physical Education & Sports Officer Bhagirathi Mallik, Bhanja Sena District President Pintu Maiti, former District Sports Officer Pradeep Kumar Behera, District Sports Association Secretary Bijay Kumar Das, former MLA Kandra Soren, and all the officials of the Future Star Sports Academy. The event was anchored by Advisor Somanath Singh, while Academy Founder Dibyaranjan Das expressed his heartfelt thanks to everyone for making the program a success.