Prof Sunil Kanta Behera, noted educationist and former head of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department, Berhampur University, passed away at his residence in Berhampur on Tuesday. He was 67.
A pall of gloom descended in Berhampur with the sudden demise of the most loved 'Sunil sir'. Behera has nurtured thousands in the field of journalism and he was one of the most acclaimed communications educationists.
Even after his death, Sunil sir has left a message for his students and society by donating his body to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur for research work of medical students.
Written on 22nd July 2022, Behera's affidavit (pledge) for whole body and organ donation read: "I do hereby pledge my mortal body to the Department of Anatomy, to be utilised for academic research, transplantation and related purposes without any prejudice or precondition. I declare it in case of my brain death, body will be handed over at the disposal of the MKCG (Berhampur) Medical College for proper utilisation of my organs & body. I understand that this pledge will not in a way affect my legal claim."
"Prof Sunil Behera had discussed with me about donating his body in June this year. I elaborated to him about it and sent two forms which he later reverted after filing all details," said Prabhas Acharya, president, body and organ donation.
Speaking on the same, Prof Sagar Prusti of Anatomy department said, "It's the 16th donation to the MKCG Medical College. "Donation of body by a renowned person like Prof Sunil Behera will definitely give a big and good message to the society," said Prusti.
After imparting teaching at the Journalism & Mass Communication Department at Berhampur University for decades, Behera retired in 2015. He later joined as Dean, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Central University at Tezpur in Assam, and retired last year. Since then, he was the Visiting Professor at Central University in Koraput.