Dr Debendra Pradhan Funeral: The last rites of former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Dr. Debendra Pradhan were performed today with full national honors at Swarga Dwara in Puri. Thousands of supporters gathered to pay their final respects as his mortal remains were cremated.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, several members of the state cabinet, and prominent BJP leaders were present for the last Darshan at Swarga Dwara. Dr. Pradhan’s eldest son performed the final rites, while his younger son, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and other family members were also in attendance.
Earlier this morning, Dr. Pradhan’s mortal remains were taken in a grand procession from his Chandrasekharpur residence to Puri. Hundreds of supporters joined the procession to bid farewell to the veteran leader. He passed away yesterday at the age of 84 at his residence in Delhi. Upon arrival from Delhi, his mortal remains were kept at the BJP office for public homage before being taken to his residence in Chandrasekharpur for the night.
Dr. Debendra Pradhan, father of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, was a respected leader who served as a Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government. His political journey began as the Talcher Mandal President, and he later held the position of District President of the undivided Dhenkanal district from 1983 to 1985.
He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1984 from the Deogarh constituency, defeating senior Congress leader Sriballav Panigrahi. He was re-elected from the same constituency in 1991 and 1996. During his tenure in the Vajpayee government, he served as Minister of State for Road Transport and Agriculture.
Dr. Pradhan’s contributions to Indian politics and his dedicated service to the nation will be remembered by many. His passing marks the end of an era in Odisha’s political landscape.
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