By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: Naveen Jindal led Jindal Steel and Power Limited’s CSR Arms, JSPL Foundation, Chairperson, Shallu Jindal on Monday morning paid an emotional tribute to Rajya Sabha MP and Padma Vibhushan Shri Raghunath Mohapatra, who passed away at AIIMS in Bhubaneswar on Sunday evening . Sharing a tweet of her husband, JSPL Chairman, Naveen Jindal, Shallu Jindal, India’s well known Classical Dancer, described late Mohapatra as her ‘Spiritual Father’.
“My spiritual father shri Mahapatra ji has left us Folded hands praying to mahaprabhu Jagannath ji Chatrudhamurti to give strength to us and his family to bear this loss . OM Shanti,” JSPL Foundation Chairperson Shallu Jindal tweeted @shallujindal20.
“Deeply saddened by the demise of Rajya Sabha MP Padma Vibhushan Shri Raghunath Mohapatra. He was a kind and affectionate person and a father figure to@shallujindal20 & me. His passing away is a great personal loss to us, we will miss his smiling presence & guidance. Om Shanti,” JSPL Chairman Naveen Jindal had earlier tweeted @MPNaveenJindal.
The President nominated Rajya Sabha MP and Ace sculptor, Mohapatra passed away here at AIIMS on Sunday evening. He was 78. Mr.Mohapatra was hospitalized at AIIMS Bhubaneswar for more than two weeks after having tested positive for coronavirus.He was awarded Padma Vibhusan in 2013. Mr.Mohapatra has trained more than 2,000 students and has restored many monuments. Mohapatra was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in July, 2018.
Mohapatra’s sons, Prashant and Jasobant are also undergoing treatment for COVID-19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to Jasobant, to enquire about their health a couple of days back.Born in Puri, Mr.Mohapatra was awarded Padma Shri in 1976 and Padma Bhushan award in 2001. He was nominated by the Ministry of External Affairs as a Member of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in 2000. He served as a Senior Instructor and Superintendent of Handicraft Training & Designing center, Government of Odisha, Bhubaneswar since 1963.
