Bhubaneswar, December 7: Padma Shri awardee and centenarian teacher from Odisha, Nanda Kishore Prusty (fondly called Nanda Sir) passed away in a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. He was 104.
He was undergoing treatment for COVID-19 infection. A resident of Kantira village in Sukinda block in Jajpur district, he had been admitted to a hospital in Kalinga Nagar area in the district on November 30 after he suddenly collapsed complaining of uneasiness. He tested positive for COVID-19 at the hospital. He was taken to the Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital and later shifted to Tata Covid hospital for further treatment.
Fondly known as ‘Nanda Sir’, he has received Padma Shri award from President Ram Nath Kovind recently. On receiving India’s fourth-highest civilian award on Tuesday for his efforts, Nanda Prusty raised his hands to bless President Ram Nath Kovind.
He spent several decades of his life providing free education to children and adults of his locality in a makeshift hut in the village.
Having only been able to study till Class-VII owing to his family’s financial condition, he has been teaching children free of cost since Independence with the goal of eradicating illiteracy in his village.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan among people from different walks of life expressed grief over the death of the Padma Shri awardee centenarian teacher.
“The much respected “Nanda Sir” will be remembered for generations due to his efforts to spread the joys of education in Odisha. He drew the nation’s attention & affection a few weeks ago at Padma Awards ceremony,” tweeted PM Modi.
“Hon’ble Governor is deeply saddened to learn about the demise of #Padmashri Nanda Kishore Prusty, the revered teacher & inspiration to many and remembered fondly his meeting with ‘Nanda Sir’ just before his hospitalization. He conveyed his sympathy to bereaved family & students,” tweeted the Governor’s Secretariat.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also took to twitter to pay tributes to Prusty. “His contribution in the field of education will be remembered forever,” tweeted Patnaik
“Deeply saddened by the demise of Nanda Kishore Prusty Ji. He was recently conferred with the Padma Shri for his pioneer contribution towards providing free education to the children in #Odisha. Nation will always remember this noble soul for his selfless service,” tweeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
