Former Lok Sabha Speaker Rabi Ray cremated with full state honour

07 March, Bhubaneswar

The mortal remains of former Lok Sabha Speaker and veteran socialist leader Rabi Ray were consigned to flames at his native village Bhanargada in Puri district with full state honour.

Ray, who was admitted at the SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack on February 12 last, died Monday.

His body was kept for public darshan at Cuttack yesterday to allow his followers and well wishers besides the leaders of various political parties to pay their last tribute.

This morning the journey of his mortal remains began and taken to Lohia Academy in the state capital where Governor S C Jamir, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, several Odisha ministers, MLAs and leaders of political parties visited and paid floral tributes. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Janata Dal (U) chief Sharad Yadav, former Union Minister Srikant Jena and several council of ministers of Naveen Patnaik government were present at the cremation ground and paid their last tribute to the departed soul.

Thousands of people also thronged the cremation ground to have a last glimpse of their beloved leader.

Soumya Ranjan Ray, son of Rabi Ray’s elder brother, lit the pyre after the completion of necessary rituals as per the Hindu rites and 21 gun salute was given to the departed soul by the security personnel.