Ajit Mohapatra (72), an eminent engineer and promoter of Kalinga Group of Companies, died on 2 January at Bhubaneswar due to cardiac arrest. A B.Tech in mechanical engineering from Burla engineering college, he studied management abroad. Apart from serving as a member of the state planning board, he was president of Orissa Productivity Council, Member India Vision 2020 and one of the prominent India Director of Lepra Society.
He had received Indian Journalists Union (IJU) awards recently for his contribution to the society. In 1984, Mohapatra was given the National Award for his contribution towards scientific research and innovation.
Apart from running a capital goods manufacturing factory, he had worked for making science & technology reach the rural mass. Former President A P J Abdul Kalam has mentioned him in his book India 2020 for his effort in building farm-oriented small machines for empowering rural women. He was the nephew of ex-Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.