New Delhi: Terming late Dr. Banshidhar Panda as India's foremost Karmayogis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today remembered him and prayed for the peace of the departed soul.
In a letter to his son, Baijayant Panda, Modi wrote, "I am deeply saddened... Dr. Panda who studied in the topmost universities of the world chose to return to India and transform the lives of the people of Odisha... An unparalleled institution-builder, not only did Dr. Panda work for the people but he also leaves behind a number of institutions that will continue to do great service to the nation in the domains of education, women empowerment, skill development and much more... His special friendship with Biju Babu, another giant of Odisha, both of whom shared a vision of Odisha's development, will always be remembered. Om Shanti to the departed soul."
Moreover, prominent leaders in Indian politics, cutting across political affiliations congregated and paid tributes to late Dr. Bansidhar Panda in a prayer meeting held at New Delhi today.
From Vice-president Venkaiah Naidu to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a host of eminent personalities assembled at one place to pay tributes to the noted industrialist who is considered as the architect of modern industrial revolution in Odisha.
"Being a scientist himself, Bansidhar Panda was always concerned about the development of Odisha. He was a patriot and committed towards industrial and scientific development in the country," said senior BJP leader, Murli Manohar Joshi.
Kendrapara MP and son of late Bansidhar Panda, Baijayant Panda recalled the contributions of his father who devoted a large part of his life in serving the State and country.
"My father (Bansidhar Panda) gave up his research scientist job in USA in 1950s and was often asked why he chose Koraput to set up his first venture. His answer was that he wasn't coming back for doing business or prosper. Rather he came back to help build a nation," said Baijayant Panda on the occasion.
Senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani, Union Minister ministers-Ravi Shankar Prasad, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, MJ Akbar, Rajyavardhan Rathore, Piyush Goyal were also present in the prayer meeting along with BJP leaders Anurag Thakur, Subramanian Swamy; senior Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Mani Shankar Aiyar among others.
Eminent personalities from Odisha including Jatin Das, Sitakant Das were also present on the occasion.
The Kendrapara MP thanked the Prime Minister for sending his condolence message for late Bansidhar Panda.
https://twitter.com/mp_office/status/1004387411055411200
Panda had passed away at his Bhubaneswar residence on May 22.