Bhubaneswar: The Odia literary and administrative world is in deep mourning following the passing of eminent poet, novelist, and former bureaucrat, Shri Rajendra Kishore Panda. He breathed his last on Friday at the age of 81, leaving behind an indelible mark on both literature and public service.
Born on June 24, 1944, in Batalga village of Jharsuguda district, Shri Panda was a towering figure who successfully balanced a distinguished career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from 1967 to 2004 with a profound contribution to Odia literature.
His literary work includes sixteen poetry collections and two novels, earning him numerous accolades, notably the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1985 for his collection Shailakalpa. He was also honoured with the Gangadhar National Award in 2010 and the Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar for 2020.
The Minister for Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, expressed his deep sorrow. “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of poet Rajendra Kishore Panda. May the Lord grant immense strength to his family during this untimely loss and provide eternal peace to his immortal soul,” the Minister said in his condolence message.
Adding to the tributes, acclaimed author and former Chief Secretary Shri Tarun Kanti Mishra also condoled Shri Panda’s demise, highlighting the significant loss to the cultural and administrative sphere.
Shri Panda’s demise marks the end of an era in Odia poetry, with the literary and bureaucratic fraternity across the state extending heartfelt tributes to the departed soul.