<p data-start="199" data-end="279" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><strong>Bhubaneswar:</strong> Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo expressed their grief over the passing of renowned Odia poet and former bureaucrat Ramakanta Rath.</p> In his condolence message, Chief Minister Majhi described Padma Bhushan awardee Ramakanta Rath as one of the finest poets in Indian literature. “Many of his timeless poems, such as <em data-start="520" data-end="531">Sri Radha</em>, <em data-start="533" data-end="547">Saptama Ritu</em>, <em data-start="549" data-end="562">Kete Dinara</em>, <em data-start="564" data-end="582">Sachitra Andhara</em>, <em data-start="584" data-end="603">Sandigdha Mrigaya</em>, and many others, will immortalize him forever in the world of literature,” said Majhi. <p data-start="693" data-end="905">The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for Rath’s soul to rest in peace. He also directed that the last rites of the late poet be conducted with full state honors.</p> <p data-start="907" data-end="1464">Similarly, Deputy CM Singh Deo, in his condolence message on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressed his grief over Rath’s passing.</p> “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former civil servant, Padma Bhushan awardee, and literary figure Ramakanta Rath. He will forever be remembered for his contributions to Indian civil service and literature. May his last rites be performed with national dignity. I pray to Lord Shree Jagannath for the eternal peace of the departed soul and convey my condolences to his bereaved family,” wrote Singh Deo.