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Bhubaneswar, April 21: Ace politician, scholar, scribe, veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister JB Patnaik breathed his last Tuesday. He was 89.
Patnaik, the chancellor of Tirupati Rashtriya Sanskruta University, had visited Tirupati Monday to attend the convocation of the university as the chief guest. However, he felt severe pain in the chest and was admitted to Sai Venkateswar Institute of Medical Sciences, a private hospital, late night where he passed away at about 4 am Tuesday, sources said.
Patnaik is survived by his wife Jayanti, son Pruthvi and daughters Sudatta and Supriya. His mortal remains were flown to his residence near Sishu Bhawan here in the afternoon.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Governor SC Jamir, OPCC president Prasad Harichandan and several other leaders of BJD, BJP and Congress visited his residence to pay their last tribute.
Family sources said JB’s body would be taken to various places in the city including Congress Bhawan and Assembly before being taken to his native village Rameswar in Khurda district Wednesday.
His last rites and cremation would be performed at the Swargadwar in Puri in the evening.
Born January 3, 1927 at Rameswar village in Khordha district, Patnaik not only proved his abilities in politics by becoming a Union minister, three-time Chief Minister as well as a Governor, he also displayed his versatility by excelling in literature, journalism and culture. He was also a Sanskrit scholar.
He was the Chief Minister of Orissa from 1980 to 1989 and then from 1995 to 1999.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1971 and became a Union minister in the Indira Gandhi government. He was the minister for civil aviation when he was chosen by Indira to become Chief Minister of Orissa in 1980. He was appointed Governor of Assam in 2009 and completed his full term last year.
Besides his political career, JB carved a niche for himself in the world of literature. He won the Central Sahitya Akademi award for his Oriya translation of Bankim Chandra’s novels titled ‘Bankim Chandra Upanyasmala’ in 2001 and the Orissa Sahitya Akademi award for his book ‘Bairagya Shataka’, a translation of Bhartruhari’s celebrated Sanskrit work, in 1996.
As a mark of respect to the veteran leader, the state government announced Tuesday a state holiday and also declared a seven-day state mourning. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who was scheduled to attend the Akshaya Trutiya puja in Puri, cancelled his programme following JB’s death.
President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday condoled the death of former Chief Minister J B Patnaik, saying the nation has lost an eminent leader whose service will be always remembered. The President said he was saddened to learn about the passing away of Patnaik, a friend and colleague of long years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday condoled the death of
JB Patnaik, saying his contribution to the state’s development will always be remembered. “Saddened on his demise. Condolences to his family. Shri Patnaik will be remembered as a pillar of Orissa politics, a popular leader always connected with people’s views.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday said the leader withstood the test of time in politics. The Chief Minister said, “I am deeply distressed at the sad demise of former Chief Minister, veteran politician and great literary figure Janaki Ballav Patnaik.” Stating that it is a huge loss to the state, Naveen said, “He was a great figure in Orissa politics.”
Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi condoled the death of J B Patnaik, saying his life was spent in the service of people. “Having served as the Chief Minister of Orissa thrice, a Union minister and as a Governor, his public life spread over decades in service of people. He remained a Congressman till the end.