The Utkal Surjya Samman is a reputed award conferred on people who have excelled in their respective fields and have contributed a great deal in building a better Odisa today and for tomorrow. Arupa Mission Research Foundation on its Annual Day Celebrations confers accolades to eminent persons in recognition of their sincerity, dedication and contribution to society and to those who have brought laurels to this state. These awards were first given in the year 2003-2004. The meeting was presided over by the Ex Chairman of OPSC Sri. Vivek Pattanayak (IAS) who gave away the awards in the presence of the Chairman Arupa Mission, Dr. Swami Arupananda and Commodore K. Chaturvedi, Dy. Director General NCC Directorate Orissa. The Foundation’s annual day function and award giving ceremony was observed at Hotel Mayfair Lagoon on the 9th of April 2004. The eminent persons who were awarded during that period are:

• Er. N.R. Mohanty, Chairman Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Bangalore: for unmatched contribution to the Country’s Aeronautical technology advancement and for bringing laurels to the nation and state by popularizing Indian technology abroad.
• Er. S.K. Bannerjee, Ex CMD, i/c, NALCO, Bhubaneshwar: for his contributions in the advancement of Technology and Human Resources in Odisa during his tenure.
• Prof.(Dr.) B.K.Mohanty (Gynecology & Obstetrics), Cuttack: For his dedicated research and contribution in Surgical Medicine and Cancer making him renowned all over Asia.
• Dr. H.P.P. Patnaik, Bhubaneshwar: For his sincere contributions in the field of Creative Writing.

For the year 2004-2005, five eminent personalities were awarded by Padma Bhushan Dr. Sitakanta Mohapatra(IAS) and Dr.Swami Arupananda, Chairman Arupa Mission research Foundation. Commodore K. Chaturvedi, Dy. Director General NCC Directorate Orissa also graced the occasion. The awardees are:Dr. Sishir Bose, New Jersey, USA for his contributions in spreading AIDS awareness all over the world including Odisa, Sri. Malay Chatterjee, Regional Chief, HUDCO, Bhubaneshwar for his contributions in Post Disaster Reconstruction, Sri. Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Editor Sambad, for Neo-Journalism, Sri. Radhanath Rath, for his contribution to the faculty of Psychology and Literature and Sri. D.N. Pathi, President Lalit Kala Academy for his contributions to the field of Traditional and Fine Arts in Odisa. In 2005 the Arupananda Award for Excellence was founded and conferred on upcoming youth of Odisa from the NCC.