Bhubaneswar: Thousands of mourners including leaders cutting across party lines gathered at the Khalikote Royal Palace to bid tearful adieu to V Sugnana Kumari Deo, a seasoned politician and 10 times MLA.
She was cremated at the cremation ground on the Royal Palace campus with full state honour. A guard of honour was accorded to the late queen’s departed soul before cremation. As per tradition, a brahmin lit the funeral pyre.
“I am feeling proud to have lit the pyre to Rajmata. This is a rare opportunity which I got today,” said Karesh Chandra Acharya who lit the funeral pyre.
Various leaders also visited the royal palace to pay her last respects.
“Being a member of the royal family, she was a representative of the common people. She is the source of inspiration for us,” said Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha who attended the cremation.
Deo passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Friday night at the age of 87.
She was undergoing treatment for the last few days due to a serious illness. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also met her at the hospital on Friday evening in Chennai and enquired about her health. He also discussed with the doctors and had prayed for her recovery.
