Padma Bhushan awardee, eminent Odia poet Ramakanta Rath, passes away at 91 : PM Modi Condoles demise of Rath

By B.Maharana
Bhubaneswar, March 16
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of eminent poet and scholar, Ramakanta Rath.
In a social media post, the Prime Minister said that the work of Ramakanta Rath works, especially poetry, are widely popular among all sections of society.
Modi said, his thoughts are with the family and admirers of Ramakanta Rath in this hour of grief.
Padma Bibhusan awardee Ramakanta Rath passed away at 91 at his Kharvel Nagar residence in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
One of the most renowned poets in Odia literature, Rath’s notable works include ‘Kete Dinara’, ‘Aneka Kothari’, ‘Sandigdha Mrigaya’, ‘Saptama Ritu’ & ‘Sachitra Andhara’.
Born in Cuttack, Rath obtained his MA in English Literature from Ravenshaw College before joining the Indian Administrative Services in 1957.
However, he continued his writing career. He retired as Chief Secretary Odisha after holding several important posts in the Central Government, such as Secretary to the Government of India.
He was the recipent of prestigious “Saraswati-Awad” for his poetry collection” Shri Radha”.
He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1977, Saraswathi Samman in 1992, Bishuva Samman in 1990, and India’s 3rd highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in 2006. He also served as the Vice President of the Sahitya Academy of India from 1993 to 1998 and the President of the Sahitya Akademi of India from 1998 to 2003, New Delhi.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his ministerial collegues codoled the death of Rath.
Expressing grief over the demise, Chief Minister Majhi ordered that Rath’s last rites would be performed with full state honours at Swargadwar Puri tomorrow.