Former Congress MP Frida Topno passes away

Bhubaneswar: Former Congress MP from Odisha Frida Topno died at the age of 92 at her residence in city on Tuesday. She died of old age at Vishnupriya Apartment in Jaydev Vihar here.

Her last rites will be performed at her native village Rungaon under Bargaon Tehsil of Sundargarh district, said sources.

Topno was a senior Congress leader from Western Odisha and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Sundergarh parliamentary constituency twice in 1991 and 1996 and to the Rajya Sabha from Odisha in 1998.

Other than politics, the former parliamentarian was also active in social work. She was the Chairperson of Birsa Munda Statue Committee, Rourkela and had instituted the Birsa Munda Award. Besides, she had also published various souvenirs including 'Dharti Abba' and 'Shradanjali.'