Bhubaneswar, March 29 (Inditop.com) Freedom fighter and Gandhian Biswanath Patnaik, who was known for his work among the poor in Orissa, died early Monday at his ashram at Baliguda town, an official said. He was 94.
Patnaik, a bachelor, died of old age complications. Patnaik participated in the Quit India movement and the Bhoodan or land gift movement of the 1950s.
A recipient of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation award 2008, Patnaik worked for the betterment of Dalits and tribals in the southern and western districts of Orissa by setting up a NGO, The Banabasi Seva Samiti.
The Samiti runs several residential schools for children, orphanages and old age homes.
rounak