Post News Network
Cuttack, June 14: Litterateur and Congress leader Annada Prasad Ray (79) Tuesday died after cardiac arrest at the SCB Medical College and Hospital here.
Family sources said Ray, an asthma patient, had been suffering from protracted illness for the last 12 days. He was rushed to the cardiology department of SCBMCH when his condition deteriorated in the afternoon.
Ray’s son Lagnajeet, daughter-in-law Kasturi, grandson Aparajit and relatives were present near his deathbed.
Eminent personalities including Pradesh Congress Committee leaders Prasad Harichandan, Suresh Mahapatra, Niranjan Patnaik, Kanhu Charan Lenka, Bijaylaxmi Sahu and Muhammad Moquim, Utkal Sammilani president Guru Prasad Mohanty, Satya Ray, NC Parija, Natabar Satapathy and educationalist Bishnucharan Jena visited Ray’s Talatelenga Bazar residence to pay their last respect to the departed soul.
Family sources said Ray’s mortal remains will be consigned to fire at Khannagar cremation ground Wednesday after the arrival of his two granddaughters from Pune and Banaras.
Born January 14, 1937, Ray had excelled in the fields of literature, politics and spiritualism. He had worked as PCC general secretary, undivided Cuttack district Congress committee president, All India Congress Committee member, member of first finance commission and member of OUAT syndicate. Ray had also worked as president of Utkal Sahitya Samaj and editor of Oriya daily Matrubhasha. He was the founder of Utkal youth writers’ conference.
Poetry compilation Pandura Swakhyara, story compilations Rudrasamudra, A Ayi Ayirabata and novel Matira Luha gave Ray a distinct place in the field of literature. He had also penned his biography Muthaye Jibana Anjulaye Smruti.
Ray was recipient of Sahitya Ratna Samman, Byasakabi Fakirmohan Samman, Mayadhar Mansingh Samman, Utkal Sahitya Samman and Sarala Samman.