Former Union Minister Debendra Pradhan dies at 84; President, Prime Minister mourn

Veteran BJP leader Debendra Pradhan, who was a Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, died on Monday (March 17, 2025).

He was 84 and survived by two sons, including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Pradhan, the three-time Odisha BJP president, breathed his last at his son's official residence at Teen Murti Lane in New Delhi.

Condoling his death, President Droupadi Murmu said that having known him for many years, she got the opportunity to witness his dedication to public service and contribution to the development of Odisha and the nation.