A GREAT PATRIOT AND HUMANIST SHIVAJI DADA IS NO MORE

Prasant Patnnaik

I am deeply saddened at the very sad demise of veteran CPI (M) leader Shivaji Patnaik, who belonged to my native village, Olasingh

, and a part of my family. He had tremendous love and respect for my father Raghunath Patnaik, who was one of the few founder members of the Communist Paty of India, Odisha unit under the leadership of Bhagabati Charan Panigrahi.

Shivaji Dada’s father Advocate Krupasindhu Patnaik was practicing in Nayagarh but was very keen for the development of our village.

Shivaji Dada started his political career with the Student Federation of India ( SFI ) and during the division of the CPI at the national level, preferred to join the CPI (M).

He was very keen for all round development of our village and has joined hands with my father in this regard. He also participated in the establishment of Raghunath Adarsha Mahavidyalaya in our native village in memory of my father. He tried his level best for the development of the College along with his determined wife Pratuva Patnaik who was a member of the Governing Body of the College.

Shivaji Dada participated in the celebration of the Silver Jubilee function of the College along with the then Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera and encouraged the students as well as the staff members.

Shivaji Dada was instrumental in motivating his family members to donate lands adjacent to the site of the College.

He also very deeply loved my wife Chandraprva as well as my children and grandchildren. My grandson Ayush was his favorite and loved him the most.

The sad demise of Shivaji data is a great personal loss for me and the leftist movement in the State. He will be remembered forever for his love and contribution to our College.

He is survived by his wife Prativa Patnaik, three sons and a daughter.

I pray the almighty to rest his noble soul in peace and give enough strength to Khudi and all members of the family to bear this great loss.