Eminent Odia poet and former Odisha Chief Secretary Ramakanta Rath dies at 90 in Bhubaneswar
Ramakanta Rath, the Padma Bhushan-awarded Odia poet best known for the long poem 'Sri Radha' and a former Chief Secretary of Odisha, died at his residence in Bhubaneswar on 16 March 2025, aged 90.
Summary
Ramakanta Rath, renowned Odia poet and former IAS officer, died at his residence in Kharvel Nagar, Bhubaneswar, on 16 March 2025. He was 90. Born in Cuttack on 13 December 1934, he studied English literature at Ravenshaw College, joined the IAS in 1957 and retired as Chief Secretary of Odisha in 1992. His poetry collections include Kete Dinara, Aneka Kothari, Sandigdha Mrugaya, Saptama Rutu, Sachitra Andhara and Sri Radha (1985); 'Sri Radha', a long poem using Radha and Krishna as metaphors for love and human consciousness, won him the Saraswati Samman. He also received the Sahitya Akademi Award and was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2006. President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi condoled his death, and the Odisha government announced state honours.
Key facts
- Died
- 16 March 2025, Bhubaneswar
- Age
- 90
- Born
- 13 December 1934, Cuttack
- Career
- IAS 1957; retired as Odisha Chief Secretary (1992)
- Major work
- Sri Radha (1985) — Saraswati Samman
- Honour
- Padma Bhushan 2006
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Ramakanta Rath, who died on 16 March 2025, was an eminent poet of which language?
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Correct answer: C — Odia
Ramakanta Rath was a renowned Odia poet and a former Chief Secretary of Odisha.
For which long poem did Odia poet Ramakanta Rath (died March 2025) receive the Saraswati Samman?
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Correct answer: D — Sri Radha
His most celebrated work, the long poem 'Sri Radha' (1985), using Radha and Krishna as metaphors for love and human consciousness, won him the Saraswati Samman.
Consider the following statements about Ramakanta Rath (1934–2025): 1. He was an IAS officer who retired as Chief Secretary of Odisha. 2. He was conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2006. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: he joined the IAS in 1957 and retired as Odisha's Chief Secretary in 1992. Statement 2 is wrong: he received the Padma Bhushan (not Padma Vibhushan) in 2006.