Father Marian Zelazek dies at 89

Puri, Apr 30(UNI) Father Marian Zelazek S.V.D, a Polish national who was shortlisted twice for the coveted Nobel peace prize and spent nearly three decades in this holy city during his five decades in the state, serving the leprosy affected people, died this afternoon.

The inmates of mission house rushed the 89 year father Marian to the headquarters hospital after he complained severe cardiac pain but the doctors pronounced him brought dead.

Hundreds of residents, including the patients and their children for whom the father was a messiah gathered in the hospital campus were seen crying when they knew that father was no more.

The father's name was shortlisted for the coveted Nobel peace prize consecutively for two years in 2002 and 2003. Though he did not win the prizes but certainly won the heart of millions of people here who believe one of their ancestors was reborn as a catholic priest.

He was helping the farmers to trace water sources who believed that he had magical powers to identify the under ground source of the drinking water by using his unique locket and chain.

Poland government in 1997 conferred on him their national award for invaluable contribution for bridging the relationship between the two nations.

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