Odisha House pays tribute to Kalam, J B Patnaik and others

The Odisha Assembly today paid rich tributes to former President of India A P J Abdul Kalam and former Odisha Chief Minister J B Patnaik among eight others on the first day of its monsoon session.
The House was adjourned for the day soon after convening and paying tributes to Kalam and others.
"Dr Kalam was the pride and prestige of the country, a dedicated scientist and an able administrator. His contribution to the nation will always be remembered," said Assembly Speaker Niranjan Pjari while reading out a condolence resolution.
Leader of the House and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik moved a condolence resolution and described Kalam as the People's President and the 'Missile Man'. Besides testfiring of missiles like Agni and Prithvi, Patnaik also recalled contibution of Kalam in the Pokhran-II nuclear test.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress and BJP legislature Party leader Basant Panda also condoled the sudden demise of Kalam. "Dr Kalam was one of the greatest scientists of the world," Mishra said.
The leaders also condoled the death of Odisha's three time Chief Minister J B Patnaik.

The House further condoled the demise of ex-ministers Sriballav Panigrahi, Ananda Acharya, Kalpataru Das, Kartik Mohapatra, ex-MLAs Parsuram Panigrahi, Sarat Paikray and Premalata Mohapatra.
Jaga Khilla, an ex-gram rakhi (village defence squad member) of Odisha Police, who laid down his life while fighting against Maoists in Koraput district was also referred for tribute.

The members stood in silence for a minute as a mark of respect to the departed souls before the proceedings were adjourned for the day.