Odisha lost a great social activist humanist , biju devotee and lover of plants, education ,,and odia language, Kaliprasad Samantaray passed away on saturday 18th august 2018.
The noble soul, who worked hard for the promotion of Odia language and culture as well as education and spread the right work to preserve our environment, has left for his heavenly abode last evening. Kaliprasad Samantray is no more. He passed away at the age of 55. He is survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
Born on December 15, 1963, Kaliprasad was suffering from deadly cancer for over one year. He had gone to the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai for chemo therapy where he breathed his last. His body will be brought to Bhubaneswar today. His last rites will be held at his native place Amanakudagada in Balipatana near Bhubaneswar.
Kaliprasad had given all his efforts to make Odia get second language status in Jharkhand and promote Odia language and culture in Sadheikala and Kharasuan. As one of the founding members of Bhasa Andolan, Odisha, he stood rock solid with the movement till the deterioration in his health.
Kaliprasad led the Biju Patnaik Group of Institutions, which have several schools, colleges and institutions that impart education in Journalism, Computer Science, Hotel Management etc. He also set up a Bakula Bana Vidyalaya near his village to revive the old memories of Odia culture.
Kaliprasad loved trees and passionately worked towards preserving the environment. He planted lakhs of saplings in his lifetime and took care of those personally with all his efforts. He was also one of the pioneers of blood donations in Odisha. He always believed in felicitating eminent personalities of Odisha on their birthdays and also motivated young talents.
Prasanta Patnaik