Another working Journalist succumbed to COVID-19 in Odisha on 5 November. Prabir Pradhan, a senior scribe of a news channel, died at a hospital in Bhubaneswar, his family said. He was 35. Prabir, a native of Athamalik in Angul district, is survived by wife and a two-year-old daughter. H
is father, a retired police officer, had also succumbed to the dreaded virus a month ago. He had joined duty after completing the mandatory isolation period as his father was infected with the deadly virus.
Prabir was admitted to the COVID Hospital last week and had to be put on ventilator support on Wednesday.
“Saddened to learn of the untimely demise of young and promising journalist Prabir Pradhan, who used to cover crime n police. Recently his father, a retired police officer, had left us all.Talked to his sister to convey condolence. May he attain Sadgati,” Director-General of Police Abhay tweeted.
The Commissionerate of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack has organised a condolence meeting in Prabir’s honour. Journalists, politicians, police personnel and people from different walks of life expressed condolence over the death. The mortal remains were consigned to flames as per the COVID-19 protocol at Satya Nagar crematorium in Bhubaneswar.
The Odisha Government’s Media Advisor Manas Mangaraj expressed condolence.
OPCC President Niranjan Patnaik condoled his untimely demise. BJP State President Samir Mohanty described Prabir as a hardworking journalist.
Earlier, Simanchal Panda of a weekly Odia magazine, Priyadarshi Patnaik of ‘The Samaja’ and K CH Ratnam of ‘Eenadu’ succumbed to deadly virus.