Bhubaneswar: Former Rajya Sabha member Alajangi Viswanath Swamy popularly known as AV Swamy passed away at his Khariar Road residence today.
Swamy who was suffering from old-age related ailments for a prolonged period of time was 91 years old at the time of his death family sources said. He is survived by three daughters and two sons.
Swamy, born on July 18, 1929, in Nabarangpur district was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Odisha as an independent candidate on April 4, 2012, and continued as a member of the Upper House till April 3, 2018.
The former Rajya Sabha member was a highly educated person. He held a B.Sc. (Hons.) degree from the Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, a B.Sc. (Tech.) from the UDCT, Bombay University, Mumbai, an LL.B degree from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar and a Certificate in Aid Administration from Selly Oak College, Birmingham, U.K.
Prior to his joining politics, Swamy was a social worker and in 1961 he was appointed as Non-Official Block Development Officer in Boipariguda block in Koraput district and in 1963-73 he was appointed as a Regional Development Officer in the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
Swamy had also taken part in India’s freedom struggle as a member of the ‘Vanar Sena’.
During his stint in the Rajya Sabha, he was a Member in the Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Secluded Tribes and Committee on Water Resources.
A pall of gloom descended on the entire Nuapada district soon after the news of his sad demise spread in the district.