Bhubaneswar: Several political heavyweights, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, attended the 11th-day ritual (Ekadasaha) of former Union Minister Dr. Debendra Pradhan, father of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, at his residence in Talcher in Angul district.
All the leaders paid floral tributes to the late leader, praying for the departed soul and condoling the bereaved family members. Describing him as a kind-hearted person and scholar, Rajnath Singh stated that late Pradhan had a vision for a developed Odisha and ‘Shaktishali Bharat’.
Singh posted on X that Pradhan was well-read and scholarly. Widely respected as a warm and kind-hearted person, he had a vision for a developed Odisha and ‘Shaktishali Bharat’. “We worked together in Atalji’s Government. I will always fondly recall my interactions with him. In his long public life, he worked extensively for the welfare of people, especially the poor and marginalized sections of our society,” his X post read.
“In this hour of sadness, my thoughts are with his son, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, other family members, and followers,” the Union Minister stated.
Visited Talcher in Odisha and paid tributes to former Union Minister Dr. Debendra Pradhan ji who passed away earlier this week. He was very well read and scholarly. Widely respected as a warm and kind hearted person, he had a vision for a developed Odisha and ‘Shaktishali… pic.twitter.com/cOKkVDPbJC
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 27, 2025
Attending the Ekadasaha program, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi paid obeisance and discussed with the family members.
ତାଳଚେର ଦିନଦୟାଲ ନଗରଠାରେ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଶିକ୍ଷାମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @dpradhanbjp ଙ୍କ ପୂଜ୍ୟ ପିତା ସ୍ୱର୍ଗତ ଡ଼ା. ଦେବେନ୍ଦ୍ର ପ୍ରଧାନଙ୍କ ଏକାଦଶାହ ଅବସରରେ ଯୋଗ ଦେଇ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି ଜ୍ଞାପନ କଲି। ଏହି ଅବସରରେ ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କ ସହ ଆଲୋଚନା କରି ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇଲି। pic.twitter.com/wzABg1yQpa
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) March 27, 2025
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated, “It was my good fortune that I got an opportunity to work with him. His developmental vision, policies, and resolve to serve the people are an inspiration for all of us. Today, his son and Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji is carrying forward the same resolve of serving the people with full devotion. I pray to Lord Shri Jagannath to grant the departed soul a place at his feet. Humble tribute!”
आज तालचेर, जिला- अंगुल (उड़ीसा) पहुंचकर दिवंगत पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री डॉ. देवेंद्र प्रधान जी को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की। उनका जीवन राष्ट्रसेवा और समाज उत्थान के लिए समर्पित रहा।
यह मेरा सौभाग्य रहा कि मुझे उनके साथ काम करने का अवसर मिला। उनका विकासशील दृष्टिकोण, उनकी… pic.twitter.com/ef1cJMv3L6
— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) March 27, 2025
Late Pradhan, who died on March 17 due to old age, had served as a minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government and was a three-time president of Odisha BJP.
His Ekadasaha ceremony was held at Den Dayal Nagar in Talcher, while the Dwadasah (12th-day ritual) will be held at Freedom Fighters Ground in Bhubaneswar on Friday. A host of dignitaries from across the country is scheduled to attend the programme.
