Odisha is in mourning following the demise of Padma Shri awardee and distinguished neurosurgeon Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, who passed away on Monday evening while undergoing treatment at AIIMS New Delhi.
The medical icon, born in Puri, had been shifted to the capital from Bhubaneswar earlier in October after his condition deteriorated due to a severe brain ailment (reported as glioblastoma in some accounts).
Dr. Mahapatra’s career spanned decades of excellence in neurosurgery and institution-building. He served as Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at AIIMS Delhi, founding Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar (2012–2016), Director of SGPGI Lucknow, and later as Vice-Chancellor and Principal Advisor (Health Sciences) at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) University in Bhubaneswar. He gained national acclaim for leading the landmark 2017 multi-stage surgery that successfully separated craniopagus twins Jaga and Kalia from Kandhamal — the first successful operation of its kind in India. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2024/2025 for his contributions to medicine, along with earlier recognitions such as the C.V. Raman Award.
Political leaders across parties expressed profound grief. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described him as one of the country’s leading neurosurgeons whose work enriched healthcare and brought pride to Odisha and India. In his message, Majhi highlighted Dr. Mahapatra’s unforgettable contributions to medical service and research and prayed to Lord Jagannath for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stated: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the renowned physician Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra while he was under treatment. Through his numerous rare and successful surgical interventions, he has left an indelible mark on the field of medical science. Whether it was establishing AIIMS in Odisha or providing advanced healthcare to the people, he will always remain unforgettable. This is an irreplaceable loss for the entire state of Odisha as well as for India.” He conveyed deepest condolences to the family and prayed for the soul’s eternal peace.
Tributes also poured in from other prominent figures, including KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta, who remembered Dr. Mahapatra’s role as the first Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar and his leadership in the Jaga-Kalia surgery; former Health Minister Pratap Jena, who worked closely with him during the twin separation and praised his skill and compassion; and several MPs and public representatives such as Manas Mangaraj and Bhrugu Baxipatra.
The medical fraternity, SOA University community, and ordinary citizens across Odisha have joined in mourning the loss of a doctor whose rare surgical interventions and institutional leadership left a lasting imprint on the state’s healthcare landscape. His passing is widely seen as an irreplaceable loss for both Odisha and the nation.
