Bhubaneswar: Eminent neurosurgeon and Padma Shri awardee Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, who passed away at AIIMS New Delhi on Monday night, will be cremated in Puri after being accorded a Guard of Honour by the Odisha government.
According to information, Mahapatra’s mortal remains will be brought to Bhubaneswar on Tuesday by flight. The Odisha government will give him a Guard of Honour, after which the last rites will be performed in Puri.
Mahapatra, 74, breathed his last at 9.15 pm on Monday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi. He was suffering from brain tumour and was taken to AIIMS New Delhi on September 27 after his condition deteriorated. He had undergone surgery there on October 5.He was initially admitted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar after complaining of severe headache.
Mahapatra was widely known for leading the historic surgery in 2017 to separate Odisha’s craniopagus (conjoined at the head) twins Jaga and Balia at AIIMS New Delhi, which brought him national recognition. He also served as the founding Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar and played a key role in establishing the institute.
The Government of India conferred Padma Shri on him in 2024 for his outstanding contribution to neurosurgery and medical education. Following his demise, a pall of gloom has descended across the state.
