Nandini Satapathy cremated with full state honour

Bhubaneswar, Aug 5 (UNI) The mortal remains of former Orissa Chief Minister and noted writer Nandini Satapathy were consigned to flames at the Garabadu crematorium here with full state honour.

Ms Satapathy (75), the only women Chief Minister in Orissa, passed away last night at the Capital Hospital here after a prolonged illness.

The body was taken to Dhenkanal, her political bastion from where she successfully contested the Assembly elections six times in the past, to enable the people to pay their last respect.

On return from Dhenkanal, the body was taken to Matrumangal kendra in Cuttack, Dharitri language daily office, Congress Bhawan, Orissa Assembly and finally to the crematorium from her residence here.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister J B Pattnaik, Pradesh Congress Chief Jayadev Jena and State Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal, besides a host of political leaders and writers in the state were present to pay their last tribute to the departed soul.

Her elder son Nachiketa Satapathy lit the pyre amid chanting of '' Nandini Satapathy amar rahe'' by hundreds of mourners. The Orissa government has already declared three day mourning while all government offices and educational institutions in the state remained closed today as a mark of respect.

The Orissa Assembly was also adjourned today after obituary reference and offering condolence to the women leader. She held the Chief Minister's post twice during the 1970s.

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