Veteran journalist Barendra Krushna Dhal passes away

BHUBANESWAR: Barendra Krushna Dhal, who introduced and popularized book fair in Odisha, is no more. Dhal, a veteran journalist, well known columnist and writer died on Tuesday here at his residence. He was 77.
Dhal had a massive cardiac arrest in the morning and collapsed immediately even before he was rushed to the hospital. He is survived by two daughters and a son.
To increase the reading habits among people, Dhal took the novel idea of starting the first ever book fair in the state in Bhubaneswar in 1985.The book fair soon turned into a movement across the state with many such exhibitions and sell of varieties of books started.
The annual Bhubaneswar Book Fair since been continuing in the city.
Dhal has 19 books to his credit. His famous literary works include novels like ‘Nisheda Prema’ (1960), ‘Naika’ (1970) and ‘Mukha’ (2012). He has also translated six Bengali novels.
In 1993, he bagged the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Akademi and Odisha Sahitya Akademi awards for his translation work of Samba, a Bengali novel into Odia.
Born on March 17, 1939 at Banki in Cuttack district, Dhal worked in a number of vernacular and national dailies as part of his journalistic career, spanning over four decades.
A prolific columnist, he continued to write in newspapers and magazines under the title ‘khola bichar’ on different issues of public interest.
In 1990, he was elected all India president of the National Union of Journalist.
Many senior journalists, politicians, litterateurs and people from different walks of life thronged to his Unit-2 residence here to pay homage to the departed soul.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik in his condolence message described Dhal as an example for the young and upcoming journalists. “As a journalists and columnists, he was very popular. His writings on current politics, social and economic spheres were qualitative and created impact. The state in his death lost a famous journalist,” Naveen said.
Union ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan, Congress president Prasad Harichandan, BJP president Basanta Panda expressed condolence over his demise.
Dhal’s last rites will be performed at Swarga Dwar in Puri on Wednesday.