Bhubaneswar: Former Education Minister and eminent writer Jadunath Das Mohapatra died at a private hospital here on Tuesday. He was 90.
According to reports, Mohapatra was admitted to the hospital due to kidney-related ailments on Sunday.
Born on March 1, 1929, in Balasore, Mohapatra started his political career as a student leader. He had joined Congress in 1962 and was elected as general secretary of the Balasore District Congress Committee in 1964-1967 and President Balasore D.C.C in 1967.
He was elected to Assembly from Soro constituency twice and had become a minister of the State. He was the Education minister in the cabinet of former Chief Minister Janaki Ballav Patnaik.
Mohapatra was also the president of the Kolkata Utkal Chhatra Sangh.
Apart from politics, he has gained popularity in literature. Gramya Nadira Teere, Bibhisika, Manisha Rajyaran Jale, Parasamani, Suryamandira, Sangram, Bhulihuana, Khyamakaribeki, Setubandh are some of his many well-known writings which proved that he was a reputed writer of the state.
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled Mohapatra’s death and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family members. Patnaik said Jadunath was a clever leader and good writer.
Ms Kalinga