Bhubaneswar, Mar 17: Renowned Odia poet and Padma Bhushan awardee Ramakanta Rath, who breathed his last on Sunday (March 16) at the age of 91 years, will be cremated with full state honours.
As per reports, the mortal remains of Rath, who passed away at his residence at Bhubaneswar last morning, will be taken to Swargadwar in Puri where the last rites will be performed with full state honours.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi along with several other prominent personalities mourned the demise of Rath and expressed their heartfelt condolences.
Born in Cuttack, Rath obtained his MA in English Literature from Ravenshaw College before joining the Indian Administrative Services in 1957. Rath retired as Chief Secretary, Odisha after holding several important posts in the Central Government.
He received the Odisha 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.
Rath 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.
