Bhubaneswar/New Delhi, Mar 17: Former Union Minister Dr Debendra Pradhan passed away Monday morning in New Delhi. He was 83.

Dr Pradhan, father of current Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, was a doctor, an agriculturist, and a social worker.

Early Life & Education

Dr Pradhan, born on July 16, 1941 at Nalam in current Angul district – then undivided Dhenkanal District, had completed his schooling from Kaniha and Talcher. He completed his higher education at Angul College.

In 1966, he obtained his MBBS degree from SCB Medical College in Cuttack. After his education, he had started his service life as the medical officer at Dera in Talcher. However, in 1973, he took a voluntary retirement from his service.

Political Career In Odisha

In 1980, Dr Pradhan had joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was the President of BJP, Talcher Mandal from 1980 to 1983. Later, he was named the BJP District President of undivided Dhenkanal district for two consecutive terms – 1983-85 and 1985-88.

He was elected as the State President of BJP, Odisha from February 1988 to 1990 and remained in the position from 1990-93 after re-election. He continued to serve BJP as the State General Secretary from 1993 to 1995 before being re-elected as the State President in 1995.

National Political Career

Dr Debendra Pradhan was named a National Executive Member of BJP in 1997, before being elected as Member of Parliament to 12th Loka Sabha winning the 1998 Lok Sabha elections from Deogarh Parliamentary Constituency in Odisha.

He was named the Union Minister of State for Surface Transport, Government of India (1998–1999).

Dr Pradhan was re-elected as Member of Parliament to 13th Loka Sabha, Deogarh Parliamentary Constituency (1999–2004). He was named the Union Minister of State, Surface Transport & Minister of State for Agriculture (1999–2001).

He was also the National Vice President of BJP from 2001 to 2002.

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