Former Union Minister and veteran BJP leader Dr.Debendra Pradhan, father of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Passes away at New Delhi

March 17, 2025March 17, 2025 B M 0 Comments

By B.Maharana
Bhubaneswar, March 17
Veteran BJP leader and former Union Minister Dr. Debendra Pradhan, the father of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, passed away today at New Delhi.
84 year old Dr.Pradhan who was suffering from protracted illness, breathed his last at around 10.30 am at his son and Union Minister’s residence .
His body is expected to reach Bhubaneswar at around 4 .30pm today. His last rites will be conducted with full state honour at Puri Swargadwar tomorrow.
Dr. Pradhan, a doctor by profession, had served the Union NDA Government led by the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee twice as the Minister of State for Surface Transport and Agriculture from 1999 to 2001.
Born on July 16 in 1941 at Handidhua near Talcher town in undivided Dhenkanal district of Odisha. He completed his MBBS degree in 1966 from the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. He joined the government service as the Assistant Medical Officer at Dera in Talcher in 1967. However, he took the VRS and started private practice in 1973.
He joined BJP in 1980 and became president of Dhenkanal district Mandal .
Dr.Pradhan served as the state President of Odisha BJP three times first being in 1988. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Debarah constituency twice in 1998 and 1999. He served BJP as national Executive Member.
A distinguished leader, Dr. Pradhan was widely respected for his contributions to Indian politics.
Dr.Pradhan was against family politics and left active politics to give way to his son Dharmendra Pradhan to start his political career.
He played a pivotal role in shaping policies and remained a revered figure in Odisha’s political landscape. He was instrumental in expanding the National Highways in Odisha. He will be remebered for converting the Grand Road (Bada Danda) , Puri as NH.
His demise has left a profound void, with leaders from across the country mourning the loss of an esteemed statesman.
President Droupadi Murmu ,Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi condole the demise of Dr.Pradhan.
PM Modi who went to Dharmendra Pradhan’s Quarters and paid tribute to the veteran BJP leader . CM Majhi also spoke to Dharmendra Pradhan and offered his condolence.