Bhubaneswar: Noted Odia journalist and political analyst Basant Das has breathed his last late Friday night owing to Covid-19 related complications at the age of 81 years, while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the State Capital, his son Chandan informed.
According to the family sources, the octogenarian journalist was found positive for Covid-19 May 16 and had remained in home quarantine. Das was later admitted to hospital as his condition deteriorated.
A pall of gloom descended the journalists’ community across Odisha following announcement of Das’s death early Saturday morning.
Also read: Odisha registers 7,188 new Covid-19 cases; 35 more fatalities
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his grief on the sad demise of the acclaimed Odia journalist. “Late Das has earned a name as columnist and political analyst as well. He was active in the journalism profession for more than half a century. He will be remembered for his contribution to the field of literature and journalism,” Patnaik said.
The Chief Minister also conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and wished that the departed soul rests in peace.
Notably, the senior journo was born January 2, 1940 in Maendipur village under Biridi block of Jagatsinhgpur district. Das shifted to Cuttack after his primary education and completed his matriculation from Peary Mohan Academy and Graduation from Christ College.
Das started his career in journalism with the English daily Eastern Times in the year 1965. Since then, he has worked in different positions and in various state as well as national media houses.
Das had written a book named ‘Political History of Modern Odisha’, including 16 other popular books like the Odisha Sahitya Academy Award-winning one ‘Je Deshe Jai Se Phala Khai’, ‘Footprints of Eventful Days’ and ‘The Platinum Jubilee of Odisha Politics’.
PNN