By Anurjay Dhal
BHUBANESWAR: “Saddened by the demise of Shri D Prakash Rao. The outstanding work that has done will continue motivating people. He rightly saw education as a vital means to empowerment. I recall my meeting with him in Cuttack a few years ago. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted @narendramodi.
“Deeply saddened to know about the demise of philanthropist Padma Shri D Prakash Rao. The Good Samaritan will always be remembered for his dedication to uplift the lives of children through education. My thoughts & prayers with the bereaved family members. RIP,” Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted@Naveen_Odisha.
“Extremely saddened by the passing away of Shri D Prakash Rao ji. In him, we have lost a great human being and philanthropist who worked selflessly to transform the lives of several children. We will always remember him for his humanitarian activities. My deepest condolences,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted @AmitShah.
Padma Shri D Prakash Rao passed away while undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on Wednesday. He is survived by two daughters.
The social worker dies following a brain stroke, informed family sources.He was admitted to the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 on December 25. He was also being treated for kidney-related ailments. Rao was shifted to the ICU of the hospital after his condition deteriorated.
“@PandaJay expresses profound grief and sorrow on the demise of the noted social worker from #Odisha Padma Shri D. Prakash Rao. His thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family. Om Shanti,” BJP National VP Baijayant Panda’s office tweeted @mp_office.
“ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ସମାଜସେବୀ ପଦ୍ମଶ୍ରୀ ଡି. ପ୍ରକାଶ ରାଓଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗ ଖବର ଶୁଣି ମୁଁ ମର୍ମାହତ। ସ୍ୱର୍ଗତ ରାଓ ଜଣେ ସାଧାରଣ ଚା ଦୋକାନୀ ଥିଲେ ସତ ମାତ୍ର ଅସାଧାରଣ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିତ୍ୱର ଅଧିକାରୀ ଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ସେବା ମନୋଭାବ ଯୋଗୁ ସେ ପଦ୍ମଶ୍ରୀ ଉପାଧିରେ ବିଭୂଷିତ ହୋଇପାରିଥିଲେ।,” BJP State President Samir Mohanty tweeted @SamirMohantyBJP
“Pained to know about the passing away of noted social activist, Padma Shri, D Prakash Rao. Having been a tea seller himself, he understood the misery brought by poverty. He worked tirelessly throughout his life for the upliftment of the poor and the downtrodden. Om Shanti Folded hands,” PCC Chief Niranjan Patnaik tweeted @NPatnaikOdisha.
“Saddened to learn about the demise of renowned Philanthropist and Padma Shri D Prakash Rao.It’s a big loss for us, as he rendered selfless service to empower the underprivileged kids. My deep condolences. Om Shanti,” BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar tweeted @SujeetKOfficial.
“Saddening to hear about the demise of PadmaSri Sri D Prakash Rao. He was a tea seller by profession living in a slum in Cuttack,served people by spending 50% of his income on the education of more than 70 poor children. His dedication to the society can’t be described.Omm Shanti,” BJP State secretary Tankadhar Tripathy tweeted @tankadharbjp.
“Deeply anguished by the passing away of Padma Shri D Prakash Rao, who sold Tea to fund the Education of underprivileged kids. His selfless service to the humanity and philanthropic activities will be remembered forever. Om Shanti,” BJP State VP Bhrugu Baxipatra tweeted @BhruguBJP.
