Bhubaneswar, April 27: In a solemn gathering that transcended political affiliations, professional boundaries, and generations, an emotionally charged memorial service was held on Saturday in Bhubaneswar to honour the life and legacy of veteran journalist Ratikant Mohanty, who passed away recently.

The event, marked by heartfelt tributes and shared memories, drew participation from a wide cross-section of society — from political stalwarts and senior journalists to cultural figures and ordinary citizens whose lives he had touched through his work.

The memorial service, organised by the Ratikant Memorial Committee, was held at the city’s Gita Gobinda Sadan, a venue fitting for a man who had chronicled the pulse of Odisha’s socio-political landscape for over four decades.

The gathering commenced with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp, led by Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, former finance ministers Prafulla Chandra Ghadai, Prasanna Acharya, Panchanan Kanungo, and senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik — a rare assembly of leaders united in grief and admiration for a man whose pen left an indelible imprint on the state’s journalism and politics.

In her moving tribute, Speaker Surama Padhy recalled her personal connection with the late journalist. “Rati Bhai taught me how to grow in politics. He held my hand during difficult times and showed me the path forward,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion. “His reporting style was distinctive — always honest, always fearless. If we can follow even a part of the path he illuminated for us, it would be the greatest homage we could pay him.” She further added that the Assembly would consider, with sympathy, the proposals made by the Ratikant Memorial Committee to preserve the journalist’s memory for posterity.

Former finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai reflected on Ratikant Mohanty’s profound influence during the politically turbulent days of Biju Patnaik’s era. “Ratikant Babu was a journalist of rare calibre — soft-spoken, unassuming, yet deeply respected. He held significant influence not only among politicians but also within administrative circles. Despite being close to several Chief Ministers like Janaki Ballav Patnaik, Hemanand Biswal, and Giridhar Gamang, he never sought personal favours. That was the measure of his greatness,” Ghadai noted.

Echoing similar sentiments, senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik described Ratikant Mohanty’s demise as an irreparable loss to Odisha’s journalism. “He was not just a reporter; he was an institution. Even though he had many opportunities, he never used his position for personal gain. His humility and integrity made him stand apart.”

Former Union minister Srikant Jena too remarked on Mohanty’s remarkable restraint in a profession often marked by transactional relationships. “He never asked for anything — not for himself, not for his family. And that, in these times, is a rarity.”

The memorial service witnessed the presence of an array of dignitaries, cutting across political parties and professions. Notables in attendance included former ministers Prithviraj Harichandan, Debi Prasad Mishra, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Arun Kumar Sahu, Sanjay Das Burma, Bijay Nayak, Anant Jena, Sudarshan Das, Minati Singh, Manmath Rout, BJP leader Golak Mohapatra, and CPI (M) State General Secretary Suresh Panigrahi.

A large contingent from Odisha’s media fraternity also came together to pay their respects. Senior journalists such as Rajaram Satapathy, Pradyumna Satapathy, Batakrushna Tripathy, Rajesh Mohapatra, Prasanna Mohanty, Sandeep Sahu, Subhasish Mohanty, Pradyumna Mohanty, Ramesh Mohanty, Sandeep Mishra, Pradosh Patnaik, Prasanna Pati, Sarat Paikaray, Jayadeb Behara, Gopal Mohapatra (Editor of Prameya and former Doordarshan News Editor), Deb Naran Sethi, Manoranjan Mishra, Ashok Sahu, Dilip Subuddhi, Arbind Mishra, Bibhuti Kar, Purwat Maharatha, Seemachan Patnaik, Bivek Jena, Ramesh Swain, Sanjay Jena, Akshaya Kumar Sahoo, Birupaksha Tripathi,Jajati Mohanty, Garija Shankar Dash, Dilip Bisoi, Siraj Ahmed, Gyan Ranjan Das, Bapin Singh, Pradeep Raut, Pabitra Senapaty, Partha Sarathi Jena, Deb Mohanty, Deepak Mahapatra, Chinmay Mahapatra, Apurba Mohanty, Sarada Devata, Abinash Mishra, Priyaranjan Sahu, Sanjay Das, Bhagbat Tripathy, Suresh Kar, Deepak Kumar Kar, Arbind Kuarn, Sukant Mohanty, Riaz Mohammed, Lopamudra Jena, Madhabananda Behura, Nalini Sahu, Suryakanti Nayak, and Engineer Lalit Patnaik offered their tributes.

Adding to the poignancy of the occasion, Ratikant Mohanty’s daughters, Pooja Mohanty and Vandana Mohanty, paid deeply personal tributes to their father, remembering him as not just a revered journalist, but a caring and principled parent.

A commemorative book titled ‘Samastanka Priya Rati Bhai’ was released on the occasion, chronicling fond memories and reflections on his life and career. Additionally, a documentary film capturing key moments from Ratikant Mohanty’s illustrious journey was screened, leaving many in the audience visibly moved.

The memorial served as a reminder that Ratikant Mohanty was more than a journalist; he was a mentor, guide, and quiet force of influence in Odisha’s public life. His passing marks the end of an era in Odisha’s journalistic history, yet the values he upheld — integrity, humility, and fearless truth-telling — continue to inspire.

As the gathering dispersed, one sentiment lingered in the air: that Rati Bhai’s legacy would live on — not merely in newsrooms and political corridors, but in the collective conscience of a society he so faithfully served.

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