Freedom fighter and Congress leader Raghunath Paprikar passed away at a private hospital here following a prolonged illness, family sources said on Tuesday. He was over 100 years old; they said adding that he breathed his last on Monday night.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, his cabinet colleagues and other leaders of the state have expressed profound grief over the death of social worker and mass leader Raghunath Rao Paprikar and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family.
Paprikar is survived by two sons and three daughters.
According to Congress sources, Paprikar was the oldest Congressman in Gwalior and had served as the party's city unit chief for over twelve years. He had also served as the city Mayor in the 1960s.
Expressing grief over the death of Papriker, Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Narendra Singh Tomar said, "We have lost a leader who was a fatherly figure and who always guided us in different fields."
Tomar lauded him for his role in the development of Gwalior city and his services for the downtrodden, which he said is an "example" for the people to follow.
People cutting across the party lines paid their last respects to him. The last rites were performed here.
The Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed profound grief on the death of social worker and mass leader Raghunath Rao Paprikar. In his condolence message Chouhan said that late Paprikar was a mass leader.
He was a man of principals and applied this quality even in politics also which made him popular among the common people. He said that Paprikar played an important role in the development of Gwalior. His commitment towards development is rule of thumb for the new generation.
Chief Minister Chouhan has prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family.
Minister for Public Relations, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Narottam Mishra has expressed profound grief over the demise of the senior leader and social worker of Gwalior Raghunath Rao Paprikar. He was around 100 years of age. Mishra said that late Paprikar has rendered his services to help suffering people all his life.
Mishra prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss.
Minister for Urban Development and Housing Maya Singh, Minister for Higher Education Jaibhan Singh Pawaiyya and Minister of State for General Administration lal Singh Arya have condoled death of Social Worker, Senior leader and Former Mayor of Gwalior Raghunath Rao Paprikar.
Minister Maya Singh said that late Paprikar has worked with ethics and values in his public life and has played an important role as a Mayor for the development of Gwalior.
Minister Jaibhan Singh Pawaiyya said that late Paprikar was a popular public leader and his contribution in social activities and politics is remarkable.
Minister of State lal Singh Arya said that late Paprikar has always helped common people. He considered politics as an opportunity to serve people and followed the same path during his lifetime.
Ministers said that death of Paprikar has caused loss of a popular public leader and social activist.