Mortal remains of Patnaik consigned to flames

The mortal remains of veteran Congress leader and former Odisha Chief Minister Janaki Ballav Patnaik was today consigned to flames at Swargadwar here amidst chanting of Vedic slokas in the presence of ministers, politicians cutting across party lines.
Patnaik breathed his last at a private hospital in Tirupati during wee hours of yesterday.
The body was flown from Tirupati to Odisha yesterday before being taken to Puri for final rites today.
Patnaik's son Prithivi Ballav lit the funeral pyre amid Vedic chants and cries of 'J B Patnaik Amar Rahe' after guard of honour was accorded to the departed leader, who was also the governor of Assam.

AICC leader Gulam Nabi Azad offered a wreath on Patnaik's body on behalf of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Gun Salutes were offered by the Odisha Police as a mark of respect to Patnaik, who remained at the centre stage of the state politics for about four decades.

Besides, Odisha ministers - Debi Prasad Mishra and Pradeep Maharathy - Puri MLA Maheswar Mohanty, former chief minister Giridhar Gamang, AICC leader Gulam Nabi Azad, B K Hariprasad, OPCC president Prasad Harichandan, Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Narasingha Mishra and people from different walks of life bid tearful adieu to the departed leader.

Patnaik's family members including his son-in-law S R Patnaik and a large crowd gathered at Swargadwar and made beeline to offer sandal wood and ghee at the burning pyre.
Patnaik's body was draped in an Assame 'Gamchha' while being put in fire.
Earlier in the day, his body was kept in Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar for the public to pay their last respect to the departed soul. His body was also taken to Odisha Assembly premises and later to his native village Rameswar in Khurda district.
Patnaik (89), who is survived by wife Jayanti, son Prithivi, two daughters Sudatta and Supriya, died at Tirupati while on his visit to attend the convocation of Rashtriya Sanskrit University as the chief guest.

He complained of chest pain around midnight on Monday and was admitted to a hospital where he breathed his last at 3 am following a massive cardiac arrest yesterday.