Bhubaneswar, Dec 30: Union Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday expressed deep grief over the passing away of Bidulata Samal, mother of senior journalist and Argus News Editor-in-Chief Sanjaya Jena. 

Taking to the X, formerly Twitter, the Union Minster wrote, "Deeply saddened hearing about the passing away of Bidulata Samal, mother of senior journalist Sanjaya Jena. Bidulata Mausi (Aunt) was very affectionate and pious. I had a family relationship with her. She showers affection and blessings on me whenever I meet her. Her affection and love for me will always remain memorable. I pray to Mahaprabhu for the departed soul and express condolences to the bereaved family."

ବରିଷ୍ଠ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକ ସଞ୍ଜୟ ଜେନାଙ୍କ ମା’ ବିଦୁଲତା ସାମଲଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗ ଖବର ଶୁଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ ଓ ମର୍ମାହତ । ବିଦୁଲତା ମାଉସୀ ଜଣେ ସ୍ନେହୀ ଓ ଧର୍ମପରାୟଣା ମହିଳା ଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ସହ ମୋର ପାରିବାରିକ ସମ୍ପର୍କ ଥିଲା । ଭେଟ ହେବା ବେଳେ ସେ ମୋତେ ବହୁତ ସ୍ନେହ ଆଦର କରନ୍ତି । ଅତୀତରେ ତାଙ୍କ ସହ ଥିବା ସ୍ମୃତି ଗୁଡିକ ସର୍ବଦା ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ହୋଇ…

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) December 30, 2023

It may be noted that Bidulata Samal passed away today at the age of 81. All family members were present at her deathbed.