The last rites of former Union Minister Dr. Debendra Pradhan were performed with full state honors at Swargadwar in Puri today. His mortal remains merged with the five elements as his elder son, Soumendra Pradhan, lit the funeral pyre. The cremation ceremony, held amidst a massive gathering, was attended by family members, dignitaries, and thousands of mourners.
Dr. Pradhan’s mortal remains arrived at Swargadwar from Bhubaneswar, where he was given a guard of honour before the final rites. The atmosphere reverberated with chants of “Ram Naam Satya Hai” as the veteran leader’s body was consigned to flames.
Among those present were his younger son, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, yoga guru Baba Ramdev, and numerous BJP leaders, ministers, MPs, MLAs, and party workers. The cremation drew an unprecedented crowd at Swargadwar.
Dr. Pradhan’s mortal remains was brought to Puri from Bhubaneswar, where it had arrived via a special flight at Biju Patnaik International Airport Monday. After landing, a guard of honor was accorded at the airport, followed by a sombre procession to the BJP state office and his residence in Chandrasekharpur for public homage.
Puri MP Sambit Patra, paying tribute, described Dr. Pradhan as “not just an individual but an institution,” crediting him with shaping thousands of lives and strengthening the BJP and RSS ideology across Odisha. “His efforts enabled us to form a government today,” Patra said, praying for his soul to find a place at the feet of Lord Jagannath.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed Dr. Pradhan’s pivotal role in fortifying the BJP’s foundation in Odisha and contributing to the state’s development. “His demise is a great loss to Odisha. He worked tirelessly at the grassroots, turning the party into a mighty tree that now governs the state,” Majhi remarked, noting his contributions as a Union Minister, particularly in enhancing Odisha’s national highways.
The passing of Dr. Pradhan has cast a shadow of grief across Odisha. Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik visited his residence to pay respects, offering condolences to the bereaved family and praying for the departed soul’s salvation. Other BJD leaders also joined in honouring the veteran politician.
Dr. Debendra Pradhan, born in 1941, had an illustrious political career. Elected twice as an MP from Deogarh Lok Sabha constituency (1998 and 1999), he served as Union Transport Minister in 1998 and later as Minister of State for Agriculture under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government in 1999. His contributions to Angul district and Odisha’s political landscape remain unparalleled.
