Bhubaneswar, Apr 26: Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhi, noted politicians and eminent journalists today remembered the contributions of Ratikant Mohanty to Odisha's journalism and political arena, while paying rich tributes to him on his ninth day of passing away.

Gracing the 'Samastanka Priya Rati Bhai Smruti Sabha' at Gitagobinda Sadan, Speaker Padhi expressed deep grief over the demise of journalist Ratikant Mohanty at the age of 70. She remembered how Rati Bhai, as he is fondly called, gave her suggestions to rise in politics during her earlier days in the field.

To a demand earlier placed in the commemorative meeting, the Speaker said she would certainly consider giving due respect to Rati Bhai, who reported Assembly news relentlessly for over four decades, by the Assembly.

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said he had seen Rati Bhai as a sincere journalist since his student days. Rati Bhai always stressed truthfulness and pursued ethical journalism.

Mourning Mohanty's demise, former Finance Minister Prafulla Ghadei said, "We are unlucky as we are remembering and paying tributes to a person (Rati Babu), who would have done this to us."

Ghadei remembered how Mohanty pursued journalism unwaveringly and selflessly. He also remembered Mohanty's political insights in the interest of the State.

PCC president Bhakta Charan Das expressed his indebtedness to Rati Bhai for his support in making him grow in politics during his early times.

Senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik said Ratikant was very close to him. Patnaik said Ratikant was a genius in the field of journalism.

Former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo also remembered him.

Former Minister and senior BJD leader Arun Kumar Sahoo remembered how Rati Bhai sat clinging to the corner chair and writing news of various proceedings in the Press gallery in the Assembly on all working days.

He suggested that the particular chair in the Press gallery be named 'Ratikant Mohanty ' and kept empty in his reverence.

BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra, BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma, and MLA Anant Narayan Jena also remembered Ratikant Mohanty's contributions to ethical journalism.

Senior journalists like Rabi Das, Prabhukalyan Mohapatra, Sanjaya Jena, Pradyumna Mohanty, Akshay Sahoo, Birupaksha Tripathy, and people from different walks of life remembered their associations with Mohanty.

Mohanty’s family members, including his daughters Puja Mohanty and Vandana Mohanty were also present during the memorial service.

On the occasion, the National Journalists' Association officials said a journalist will be conferred with the 'Ratikant Mohanty Memorial Seal' on the Press Day on November 16 every year.

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