Odisha Super Cyclone Devastation: When Ghulam Nabi Azad Broke Down

Bhubaneswar: Twenty-two years ago on this day, the Super Cyclone had ravaged Odisha in 1999, leaving thousands of people dead. The trail of devastation and death left by the Super Cyclone was heart-rending.

Those who were caught in its fury and even those who weren’t still grieving to this day and cannot forget the loss of human lives.

The devastation had moved former Leader of the Opposition and veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad deeply. Delivering his retirement speech in the Rajya Sabha in February this year, he admitted that he could not hold back his tears and broke down seeing the loss of human lives.

Azad was equally emotional as he admitted that he had cried when Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had died.

As Azad became poignant while speaking in the House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, “You are retiring from the House, but I will not let you retire and my doors are open for you and I will need your contribution and advice.”

Modi also recalled how Azad had informed him with grave concern when there was an attack on Gujarati tourists in Kashmir. “He was almost crying,” he said.

Also Read: 1999 Super Cyclone In Odisha: Mrutyunjay Mohapatra Talks About ‘Scientific’ Failure & His Prediction