Freedom Fighter Padma Shri Bhabani Charan Patnaik No More

Bhubaneswar: Eminent freedom fighter and Gandhian, Padma Shri Bhabani Charan Patnaik, passed away at the age of 98 here on Thursday.

He was suffering from old-age related complications and was undergoing treatment at the Capital Hospital in city, his family sources said. Patnaik is survived by two sons and three daughters.

The Odisha government announced that the veteran freedom fighter will be cremated with full state honours at Nimapada in Puri district today.

Patnaik was born on May 11, 1922 at Andhia in Nimapada. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha for three terms in 1961, 1966 and 1978. He was bestowed with the Padma Shri in 2018.

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, National BJP Vice President Jay Panda, Pradesh Congress Committee President Niranjan Patnaik and several other leaders expressed their condolence over the death of Patnaik.

Chief Minister Naveen described Patnaik as a great patriot who had dedicated his entire life for the cause of the common man.

"A strong believer in Gandhian principles, he was a close associate of Biju Patnaik. A man of indomitable spirit, Bhavani Babu was very active till his death. In his death, the nation has lost a true Gandhian and Karmayogi," said the Chief Minister. He conveyed his deep sympathies for the bereaved family members.

ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ ତଥା ପୂର୍ବତନ ସାଂସଦ ପଦ୍ମଶ୍ରୀ ଭବାନୀ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ। ଜଣେ ମହାନ ଗାନ୍ଧିବାଦୀ ଭାବେ ସେ ସର୍ବଦା ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ରହିବେ। ତାଙ୍କ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରିବା ସହ ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଉଛି।

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 14, 2020

Describing Patnaik as great son of India, Governor Ganeshi Lal said his life and works will continue to inspire generations.

Hon'ble Governor condoled the sad demise of Padmashree Bhabani Charan Pattanaik,eminent freedom fighter and great son of India and conveyed his heart felt sympathy to his bereaved family members and followers.His life & works will continue to inspire generations, he added. ?

— Governor Odisha (@GovernorOdisha) May 14, 2020

Condoling death of the freedom fighter, Jay Panda tweeted, "I remember him fondly from my childhood; he was acquainted with my parents & frequented our home."

Very saddened to learn of the demise of Gandhian, veteran freedom fighter, former Member of Parliament, Padma Shri Bhabani Charan Patnaik

I remember him fondly from my childhood, he was acquainted w/my parents & frequented our home.
Condolences to the bereaved family
Om Shanti? pic.twitter.com/lFhD0pfXVX

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) May 14, 2020

ତିନି ତିନି ଥର ରାଜ୍ୟସଭା ସାଂସଦ ଥିବା ଭବାନୀ ବାବୁ ଶେଷ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଜନସେବାରେ ନିୟୋଜିତ ଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କର ମୃତ୍ୟୁରେ ଓଡିଶାରୁ ଦେଶର ମୁକ୍ତି ସଂଗ୍ରାମର ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟଙ୍କର ଅସ୍ତ ଘଟିଲା । ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାର ବର୍ଗକୁ ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରୁଛି ।

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) May 14, 2020

My deepest condolences on the demise of freedom fighter, veteran Congress leader & Gandhian, Padma Shri Bhabani Charan Patnaik. He guided many leaders of Odisha on the path of Gandhian philosophy. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti ? pic.twitter.com/FoV7mTrN1e

— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) May 14, 2020

On the occasion of his 98th birthday, Patnaik had expressed desire to donate his body to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said. However, sources at the SCB Medical College and Hospital said that it may not be possible to receive the body due to the prevailing situation.

(With Agency inputs)