Professor Sanjay Kumar Satapathy, Vice Chancellor of Maa Manikeshwari University, Kalahandi passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday at the age of 63.
As per family reports, he had been suffering from health issues for an extended period and had been on leave since October. He was admitted to the hospital in critical condition just a few days prior to his passing.
A notable figure in education, literature, and the arts, Satapathy was honoured with the esteemed ‘Devgiri Samman’ in 2022, recognizing his lifelong contributions. Over his career, he guided more than 25 PhD candidates and worked in several colleges and universities throughout the state. His involvement in stage, radio, and television began in 1971, and he gained recognition as a lyricist and singer with All India Radio, in addition to being a regular television presenter.