Odisha Leaders Mourn Demise of Veteran Physician and Politician
Bhubaneswar: Dr. Raseswari Panigrahi, former MLA from Sambalpur and a renowned gynaecologist, passed away at her residence in Shanti Nagar, Sambalpur, on Monday. She was 79 and had been battling serious neurological complications for the past three years.
Her attending physician, Dr. Kabir Das Purohit, confirmed that her health condition had worsened significantly since Sunday evening. Despite medical care, she breathed her last at home, bringing an end to a life marked by service in both medicine and public life.
Political Journey and Electoral Career
Raseswari Panigrahi was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from the Sambalpur constituency in 2014 as a candidate of the Biju Janata Dal. However, she lost the 2019 Assembly election from the same seat. She was also the sister of former MP Sriballav Panigrahi.
Ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections, she resigned from the BJD after being denied a party ticket. Her political career was marked by her active engagement with grassroots issues and her focus on healthcare and women’s welfare.
Distinguished Career in Medicine and Education
Before entering politics, Dr. Panigrahi had a long and distinguished career in the medical field. After completing her MBBS from Burla, she joined government service in 1972 as a specialist in gynaecology and initially served at the District Headquarters Hospital in Sundargarh.
Over the years, she went on to serve as a professor at a medical college, contributing significantly to healthcare delivery and medical education until her retirement. Her academic journey began at Ispat Vidyalaya in Rourkela, followed by higher studies at Gangadhar Meher College in Sambalpur.
Leaders Pay Tribute
Her demise has drawn heartfelt condolences from leaders across Odisha. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow, describing her as a senior leader, former MLA of Sambalpur, and an eminent physician. He extended condolences to her family and prayed for the peace of her departed soul.
Leader of the Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik also mourned her passing, stating that her contributions as a public representative and healthcare provider would always be remembered. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo remembered her as a distinguished physician and dedicated leader, saying her death marks the end of a significant chapter in Sambalpur’s public life.
