New Delhi: Glowing tributes were paid to Late Dayamayee Rath and her husband Late Engineer Purna Chandra Rath in a solemn ceremony at Bhubaneswar. Invited Guests,Family members and well wishers offered rich homage to the departed souls recalling their remarkable contributions and awesome achievements.The family members hosted this prayer meeting after immersing the last remains of Rath couple at holy Prayagraj, worshipping for their salvation before Lord Biswanath in Kashi,Lord Bishnu at Badrinath and offering pinda for them at the bank of Gaya. Being devoted and dedicated philanthropists late lamented Rath couple’s initiatives for the well being of marginalized mankind will be long remembered by the people. Both Smt. Rath and Er. Rath were extraordinary human beings having plethora of virtues like being religious, kind hearted, helpful, affable, punctual, hardworking, righteous, responsible, disciplined, dependable, honest and hospitable.
Late Er. Purna Chandra Rath was born on 25th April 1937 in the village of Pateni Gaon of Katakia Sahi under Athagarh Tahasil of undivided Cuttack district. Er. Rath had the rarest distinction of becoming the first graduate in both science and civil engineering of his area. He served in various departments of Government of Odisha and earned tremendous goodwill as an engineer with exemplary skill and astounding professionalism. Holder of a Kaleidoscopic personality, he was a prolific writer, who wrote the Book "Basa Kala" in Odia language, first and unique of its kind, to guide common people to construct their houses effectively, a researcher of Odisha’s culture, tradition and ethos and an accomplished painter having number of invaluable paintings. Er Rath got married to Late Smt. Dayamayee Rath on 18th November 1965.
Late Smt. Dayamayee Rath was born on 5th November 1946 at cuttack town. A lifelong champion of women’s empowerment, Smt. Rath was a front ranking women’s leader, top notch social activist cum reformer, prominent promoter of education amongst women, eminent poet and a fighter for gender justice. She will be remembered for her extensive relief works in 1999 super cyclone. She died on 26th June 2019 at the age of 73. Er. Rath left for his heavenly abode on 15th October 2020 at the age of 84.
To carry forward the noble legacy of Late Rath couple, their younger son Pradeep Kumar Rath has been supporting "Asha O Ashwasana" (AOA) institution engaged in imparting free quality education to underprivileged children founded by Famous Tea Seller late Padmashree D. Prakash Rao in Cuttack. Gas stoves were donated by Rath family during the ceremony to the representatives of AOA for the preparation of Mid day meals for students.
Distinguished dignitaries felicitated during the august occasion by Rath family include former Ministers Arabinda Dhali, Ashok Chandra Panda, MLA Prashant Jagdev and Naba Kishore Mallick, World Odisha Society’s Chairman Kishore Dwibedi, Guru Rabindra Kumar Mohanty, Prof. Dr Gouranga Charan Dash, District education officer Sonalika Ray, Corporators Chandra Sekhar Malia, Siba Narayan Ray, Siba Prasad Behera, Babuli Samanta, Senior Journalist Dillip Kumar Ojha, Eminent Engineer Rabindra Nath Mishra, World Odisha Society’s Cultural Secretary Kaveri Behera and Odisha Branch General Secretary Manasmita Jena Nayak.
Two meritorious students among Rath family’s relatives namely Abhipsa Pati and Baibhav Tripathy were awarded for their brilliant scoring in Board examinations this year.
Prominent personalities present include Convenor of Language Movement Pabitra Maharatha, Youth leader Manoj Nayak, Senior Journalist Sharada Mohapatra and DD News reader Balabhadra Rath.
The audience were enthralled by the soul soothing Bhajan recitals by noted singers Sushanta Kumar Panda and Rashmita Dash.
The homage ceremony was successfully organized under the able supervision of the late Rath couple’s eldest son Educationist, BEO Dr. Pravat Kumar Rath, Younger son Abu Dhabi based Senior Oil and Gas Engineer and philanthropist Pradeep Kumar Rath, Daughter Dr. Padmalaya Rath, Daughters–in–law Priyambada Rath, Bahni Prava Rath, Son–in-Law Dr Shiv Narayan and grand children Pratyush, Prithish, Prajna, Payal and Nikki.
