Bhubaneswar: Former Head of Department of Journalism & Mass Communication at Berhampur University Dr Pradeep Mahapatra passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar early on Friday. He was 69.
According to hospital sources, he breathed his last at around 2.30 am. His mortal remains are being taken to Berhampur, where he will be cremated.
Mahapatra was brought to Bhubaneswar for treatment after he fell ill a few days back. He was diagnosed with critical stage of pneumonia. While undergoing treatment at a private facility, his condition deteriorated following which he was put on ventilator support.
During treatment, he suffered a cardiac arrest and sustained serious damage to his brain.
After hearing about his illness, his students and friends in the country and abroad along with prominent media personalities of Odisha had expressed their concern.
Mahapatra worked for 27 years as a faculty in Journalism and Mass Communication at Berhampur University. He also had over five decades of work experience in magazine, newspaper, radio, television, cinema and development support communication. He was instrumental in bringing out Gram Vikas Samachar, a development-focused house journal in Odia published by Gram Vikas for 12 years between 1998 and 2011 and Brahmapur Poura Samachar, a house journal published by Berhampur Municipality, for 2 years between 1993 and 1995. He was also associated with publication of 4 volumes of PREM-PLAN Swasthy Suchana (2007-09), 6 issues of Odisha Adivasi Samachar (2004-05) and several issues of wall newspaper for children Khabara (1998-2000) brought out by PREM, an NGO.
He provided media support for planning and execution of developmental campaigns organised by both non-governmental and governmental agencies in the region for over 25 years.
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