Bhubaneswar: Eminent litterateur and award-winning short fiction writer Manoj Kumar Panda is no more. He died of heart attack in Bolangir district at the age of 65.
According to sources, Panda was admitted to a hospital after he complained of uneasiness where he passed away while undergoing treatment.
He had three published collections of short fiction, Hada Bagicha (1992), Varna Bagicha (2003) and Maya Bagicha (2010). He received many literary accolades including prestigious Sarala Award in 2015 for Maya Bagicha.
Panda had also translated two plays, All My Sons by Arthur Miller (2017) and Cross Purpose by Albert Camus (2019) in Odia. His works were also translated in English as The Bone Garden and Other Stories (Rupantar, 2009) and One Thousand Days in a Refrigerator (Speaking Tiger, 2016).
Born on October 4, 1954, in Bolangir, to Radhamani Panda and Nilamani Panda, he was the eldest among three sisters and three brothers. His father was a bench clerk to the district judge in Bolangir.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP Vice-President Baijayant Panda expressed grief over the passing away of the renowned writer.
“Sadden to learn about the demise of Sarala award winner Manoj Panda. He will be remembered for his literary works,” wrote CM Naveen on his twitter.
Dharmendra Pradhan said Panda’s contributions to the field of literature will be remembered forever.
“Baijayant Panda expresses grief and sorrow on the demise of 'Sarala Award' recipient and noted writer Shri Manoj Kumar Panda. Condolences to the bereaved family. Om Shanti,” Office of Jay Panda tweeted.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
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