BERHAMPUR :In a tragic incident, Gajapati ADM Birendra Kumar Das collapsed on stage of a cultural function at Paralakhemundi and passed away on Wednesday night.
Das was singing at a function organised at Brundaban Palace when he suddenly fell on stage and lost consciousness. He was rushed to the district headquarters hospital at Paralakhemundi before being shifted to MKCG medical college and hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.
Sources said the Odisha Administrative Service officer was singing Jagannath bhajan at the function hosted by the district administration when he apparently suffered a cardiac arrest. Das was normal and talked to several persons at the venue before collapsing.
Paralakhemundi town woke up to the tragedy on Thursday as news of Das’ sudden and unexpected death spread. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over Das’ demise.
“Das was a dedicated and duty-bound officer who always worked tirelessly for people. He was highly praised for his administrative skills and was an asset to the state. The state has lost a capable and efficient administrator,” he said while expressing his condolences to the bereaved family.
Former chief minister and leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik too condoled the bereaved family and described Das’ demise as a loss for the state.
Das was an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal where he studied English Journalism during 1997-98. The IIMC Alumni Association deeply condoled his untimely demise.