Saraswati Jena, mother of Health and I&PR Minister Pratap Jena, passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital here on Saturday. She was 87.
She was suffering from prolonged illness.
She is survived by three sons and two daughters. Younger son Pratap Jena and other family members were present by her deathbed. She was a pious woman and popular for her generosity.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik mourned her death.
After her body was brought to Jena’s Government residence here, former Ministers Debi Prasad Mishra, Sanjay Dasburma and Puspendra Singhdeo, MlAs Bijay Mohanty and Priyadarshi Mihra, former Assembly Speaker Sarat Kar and many BMC Corporators paid her their last respects. later, the body was taken to her residence in Cuttack where she was cremated.