Bhubaneswar: Condolences began pouring in from various quarters after the sad demise of eminent social worker Padma Shri D Prakash Rao with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik among others reminiscing his dedication and tireless efforts for the uplift of the downtrodden children.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister expressed grief over the untimely demise of Rao and stated "Saddened by the demise of Shri D Prakash Rao. The outstanding work that he has done will continue motivating people. He rightly saw education as a vital means to empowerment. I recall my meeting with him in Cuttack a few years ago. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti".
The Governor of Odisha also mourned Rao's passing away and remembered his selfless efforts in educating poor children.
While mourning the death of the great social worker, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that Rao will be remembered for his humanitarian activities.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also took to the twitter and grieved the sad demise of the 'philanthropist' Padma Shri awardee.
Through a series of tweets, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed sorrow over the passing away of the social worker.
"I was saddened to learn about the demise of eminent social worker of Odisha Padma Shri D Prakash Rao. He had dedicated his life for the uplift of the downtrodden," Pradhan tweeted.
The Union Minister further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Cuttack in 2018, had invited Rao and discussed with him about his social activities.
"Late Prakash Rao will always be an inspiration for every Odia," Pradhan stated while offering condolences to the bereaved family and praying for his soul to rest in peace.
The Union Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries and MSME, Pratap Sarangi said that Rao’s demise is indeed a sad news as Odisha lost a daring soul.
Through tweets, he stated “It's indeed a sad news for my state, Odisha to lose a daring soul. I am unable to express my sincere feelings for the demise of Shri D. Prakash Rao Ji. My deep feelings is at this moment, inexplicable.”
“He was the real lion of Odisha who effortlessly had impacted all of us by setting the impression on social work. Educating the needy unprivileged children in a selfish world is a great deed as I could say. He was indeed my motivator. I will also keep continuing myself like him in these coming years. Om Shanti! May his divine soul rest in peace!” Sarangi posted on his twitter account.
BJP national president JP Nadda described the demise of Rao as a great loss to society.
Similarly, BJP National vice president Baijayant Panda also expressed profound grief over the demise of Rao.
It is worth mentioning that Rao breathed his last on Wednesday after 20 day long battle with Covid-19 and related ailments at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Rao was hospitalised in December last year following difficulties in breathing. Later, he tested positive for Covid-19.
He was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2019 by the Government of India for his contribution towards boosting the value of education among slum and orphan kids in Cuttack.
Rao, a tea-seller ran a small school in Buxi Bazaar area in Cuttack and had been providing education to the slum children free of cost. He was also an avid blood donor and had donated blood to needy people over 200 times in his entire life.