Gangadhar Mohapatra who was, an active freedom fighter and a veteran Orissa Congress leader died after a brief illness at the age of 91. His condition has deteriorated after his recent surgery and since then he was not keeping good health. He complained of chest pain Wednesday evening and died before his family doctor could reach his residence, family members said.
He is survived by six sons and four daughters. Mohapatra was elected to the Orissa assembly four times - in 1967, 1974, 1980 and 1985. He served as a cabinet minister in the Nandini Satpathy and J.B. Patnaik governments.He had held various portfolios under different governments including those of finance, tourism and culture. Born in 1915 in Biswanathpur village in the coastal district of Puri, Mohapatra joined India's freedom movement from his school days and was jailed twice for protesting against British rule.
