Bhubaneswar: The mortal remains of renowned politician and former Union Minister Dr Debendra Pradhan, who passed away at the age of 84, were cremated at Puri’s Swargadwar today.
As per reports, his body was brought to Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Later, the mortal remains of Dr Pradhan were taken to the BJP state party office and then to his residence in Bhubaneswar.
Various leaders from different parties paid their respects to the departed leader. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik paid their last respects to Dr Pradhan at his residence in Bhubaneswar.
The funeral rites ceremony of Dr Pradhan witnessed a remarkable show of solidarity as politicians from various parties came together to pay their last respects. Notably, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Lok Sabha MP Sambit Patra, and renowned yoga guru Ramdev Baba were among those who attended the ceremony to honour the departed leader.
Before his mortal remains were cremated, he was given a guard of honour at the Swargadwar crematorium.
Born to Maheswar Pradhan and Chandrama Debi on July 16, 1941, Pradhan completed his MBBS from SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack in 1966. Pradhan began his professional journey as an Assistant Medical Officer at Dera in Talcher in 1967. However, after six years of service, he opted for voluntary retirement and ventured into private practice in 1973. His entry into politics came in 1980 when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking the beginning of a distinguished political career.
Notably, he was elected as a Member of Parliament to the 12th Loka Shabha from Deogarh Parliamentary Constituency, Odisha, in 1998.
