BHUBANESWAR: Thousands of people including political leaders, bureaucrats and supporters paid their tributes to former Rajya Sabha member Pyarimohan Mohapatra, who passed away in Mumbai Sunday night.
Political leaders and people from different walks of life thronged the airport as well as his house to have a last glimpse as the mortal remains of Mohapatra arrived here.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, railway minister Suresh Prabhu, union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan, finance minister Pradip Amat, industries minister Debi Prasad Mishra, women and child development minister Usha Devi, BJD MP Baijayant Panda, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, development commissioner R Balakrishnan, senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra, were among those who were present to pay their tributes.
"I am distressed at the passing away of former MP Pyarimohan Mohapatra. He had a distinguished career as a civil servant and is known for his hard work and calibre. Later he came to politics and became a MP. In politics too he has proved his mettle," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said in a message.