Odia writer Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo passes away

Eminent Odia writer Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo passed away here today, family sources said.
Sahoo was 90 and is survived by his wife, one son and a daughter. Sahoo was admitted at a private hospital and put on ventilator support due to multi-organ failure.
A recipient of many awards and recognition for his literary works, Sahoo was bestowed with the Orissa Sahitya Akademi Award in 1979 for his story book 'Akasha Patata'.
For 'Abhisapta Gandharba' (a compilation of short stories), he received the Sarala Award in 1983 and Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award for the same book in 1984.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled Sahoo's demise and decribed him as a great writer.

"Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo is one of the greatest Odia short story writers in the post-Independence era. His short story book 'Abhisapta Gandharba' was one of the finest works of Odia literature. He will always be remembered for his outstanding contribution to Odia literature. The state has lost an exceptional writer with the demise of Sahoo. May his soul rest in peace," the Chief Minister said in a condolence message.