Bhubaneswar, April 19: Veteran journalist Ratikant Mohanty passed away at the age of 70 after battling illness for the past few years. He is survived by his wife, Sipra Mohanty, and two daughters, Puja and Bandana.
A stalwart in the field of journalism, Ratikant was widely respected for his unwavering commitment to truth, integrity, and public service. He began his illustrious career with Dinalipi, one of Odisha’s leading newspapers, where he quickly earned a reputation as a fearless, articulate, and principled journalist.
With a deep understanding of grassroots issues and a passion for ethical reporting, Ratikant became a trusted voice for the people. His writing resonated with readers because it was grounded in reality, reflecting the pulse of society and the struggles of the common man.
Later he joined Paryabekhyak, where his analytical acumen and insightful reportage further elevated his stature. His work consistently shed light on pressing socio-political issues, and his storytelling gave a platform to the unheard.
Ratikant's professional journey eventually took him to the national arena, where he contributed significantly to The Asian Age. There, he stood out for his ability to contextualize regional developments within the broader national landscape. His association with Hindustan Samachar further underscored his journalistic versatility and steadfast dedication to value-driven reporting.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ratikant was a mentor and guide to many young journalists. Known for his calm demeanor, thorough approach to fact-checking, and resistance to sensationalism, he was a beacon of integrity in a rapidly changing media environment.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi paid tribute the unique personality and wrote “I am deeply saddened and heartbroken to hear about the demise of senior journalist Ratikanta Mohanty. As "Rati Bhai," he was well-known in the state's social and political spheres. In his long career in journalism, he will be remembered for his integrity, impartiality, and dedication to duty. I pray for the eternal peace of his noble soul and extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”
ବରିଷ୍ଠ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକ ରତିକାନ୍ତ ମହାନ୍ତିଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ଖବର ଶୁଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ ଓ ମର୍ମାହତ। ରତି ଭାଇ ଭାବରେ ରାଜ୍ୟର ସାମାଜିକ ଓ ରାଜନୈତିକ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ସେ ବେଶ୍ ଜଣାଶୁଣା ଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ଦୀର୍ଘ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକତା ଜୀବନରେ ସଚ୍ଚୋଟତା, ନିରପେକ୍ଷତା ଓ କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟନିଷ୍ଠା ପାଇଁ ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ରହିବେ। ତାଙ୍କ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରିବା ସହ ଶୋକ…
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) April 19, 2025
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took to ‘X and wrote’, "I am deeply saddened and heartbroken to hear about the demise of senior journalist Ratikant Mahanti. I have cherished memories and experiences with Ratik Bhai since our student movement days. He was a simple and humble individual who maintained warm relationships with people across all sections of society, both socially and politically."
ବରିଷ୍ଠ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକ ରତିକାନ୍ତ ମହାନ୍ତିଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗ ଖବର ଶୁଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ ଓ ମର୍ମାହତ । ରତି ଭାଇଙ୍କ ସହ ସ୍ମୃତି ଓ ଅନୁଭୂତି ବହୁତ ଅଛି । ଛାତ୍ର ଆନ୍ଦୋଳନ ସମୟରୁ ତାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ମୁଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ଭାବେ ଜଡ଼ିତ । ସେ ଜଣେ ସରଳ ଓ ନିରାଡ଼ମ୍ବର ଜୀବନ ବିତାଉଥିବା ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଥିଲେ ତଥା ସାମାଜିକ ଓ ରାଜନୈତିକ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରର ସବୁ ବର୍ଗର ଲୋକଙ୍କ ସହିତ…
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) April 19, 2025
Pradhan further stated, "In the world of journalism, describing him as a unique personality would not be an exaggeration. I pray for the eternal peace of his soul and extend my condolences to the grieving family. May Lord Jagannath grant them immense strength and courage during this difficult time."
