TNI Bureau: Veteran journalist and former PTI Odisha Bureau Chief Sarat Chandra Dash passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Friday. He was 83 and had been undergoing treatment for some time.

Dash served the Press Trust of India (PTI) for 42 years and retired as the news agency’s Odisha Bureau Chief in 2003. During his distinguished career, he earned widespread respect for his accurate, balanced and ethical journalism.

He worked in PTI’s Mumbai and New Delhi offices before taking charge of its Odisha Bureau in Bhubaneswar in 1993, a position he held until his retirement. Known for his professionalism and commitment to journalistic ethics, Dash mentored several young journalists and made a lasting contribution to Odisha’s media fraternity.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over Dash’s passing, describing it as an irreparable loss to the state’s media fraternity. In a social media post, Majhi praised his professional integrity, impartial reporting and deep understanding of Odisha’s politics, administration and public welfare issues. He also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.

Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik also mourned Dash’s demise, describing him as a respected and well-known figure in Odisha’s media fraternity. Patnaik said the veteran journalist had earned immense recognition during his long career and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family while praying for the departed soul.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das also expressed grief over Sarat Chandra Dash’s demise. In a condolence message, Bhakta Das said the passing of the veteran journalist and former PTI Odisha Bureau Chief was an irreparable loss to the field of journalism. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.