Former Minister Chaitanya Prasad Majhi passes away

Bhubaneswar: Former Minister and tribal leader Chaitanya Prasad Majhi breathed his last at the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar today. He was 90.

As per sources, Majhi was battling old age-related ailments for the past few days.

Born on November 19, 1929, Majhi was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Congress from 1972 to 1978 and became the Deputy Minister of the Petroleum and Chemical Ministry. He was a member of the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) from 1979 to 1985.  He was also a member of the All-India Tribal Literary Forum in Delhi. He was also the State's Education and Youth Affairs Minister from 1990 to 1995.

He has also published a book on tribal language and culture.

Eminent personalities and many leaders cutting across party lines condoled the death of Majhi.

In a condolence message, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stated, "Majhi was a veteran tribal leader, organiser and an able administrator and had contributed immensely for the development of Odisha and the tribal people. He also served as an Union Minister in Late Indira Gandhi's Cabinet. He was liked by one and all irrespective of political affiliations for his amicable manners. In his death, Odisha lost one of its great sons. I convey deep sympathy to the bereaved family."

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also condoled the sad demise of Majhi. "I am deeply saddened. His contribution to the Odisha politics and society is incomparable. May the Almighty give strength to his family," he said in twitter message.

ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ପୂର୍ବତନ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଡ. ଚୈତନ୍ୟ ପ୍ରସାଦ ମାଝୀଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗରେ ମୁଁ ମର୍ମାହତ। ଓଡିଶା ରାଜନୀତିକ ଓ ସାମାଜିକ ଜୀବନରେ ତାଙ୍କ ଭୂମିକା ଅତୁଳନୀୟ । ସ୍ୱର୍ଗତ ମାଝୀଙ୍କ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରିବା ସହ ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କୁ ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଉଛି। https://t.co/1Jmu0BTR91

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 28, 2019

BJD's State Secretary Bijaya Nayak also expressed condolence on the demise of the former Education Minister.