Bharat Ratna for Rabi Ray demanded

Noted persons, remembering Rabi Ray as a democratic socialist frontline leader at an all-party memorial meeting held on his 12th day of death here on Sunday, demanded that Ray be conferred the Bharat Ratna award posthumously.

“Ray contributed a lot in spearheading democratic socialist movement in the country. He was a frontline executor of the rich political ideologies of Dr Ram Manohar lohia and Jay Prakash Naryan. His contribution in formation of an exploitation-free society and bringing secular and democratic political parties together for the interest of the country is unforgettable. Despite reaching one of the highest constitutional posts like the Speaker of the lok Sabha, he was leading a common man’s life. He deserves a Bharat Ratna award,” opined speakers while attending the 12th day ritual held at Nabeen Bhawan here.

The programme presided over by senior journalist Rabi Rath was attended by Prof Krushna Chandra Jena, Prof Bishnu Charan Choudhury, former MlA Narayan Reddy, CPI (Ml) leader Bhala Chandra Sarangi, teacher leader Rajendra Panda, Er Raja Suresh, journalist Prasant Das, Srinivas Rao, educationist Pankaj Panigrahi and many others. Nabeen library secretary Dr Chandramani Swain proposed a vote of thanks.