BERHAMPUR: Birendra Kumar Das, the additional district magistrate (revenue) of Gajapati, died of a heart attack while performing a bhajan at an event in Paralakhemundi on Wednesday night.
Das was on stage singing an Odia bhajan dedicated to Lord Jagannath when he collapsed. He was taken to the district headquarters hospital and from there to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, where he was declared dead.He was 54 and is survived by his wife and daughter. Das was singing at a get together of the district officers at Brundaban Palace in Paralakhemundi. Chief minister Mohan Majhi and his predecessor Naveen Patnaik condoled Das’s death.
“He was a sincere and responsible officer working for the benefit of the public. He was praised for his administrative skill. The state has lost a competitive administrative officer,” Majhi said. “Saddened to hear about the sudden death of Das. He was a hard-working officer and sincere in his effort to solve the problems of the people. I convey my condolences to his family,” Naveen said.
Das received award from Prez
Several officers in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, including Gajapati collector Smruti Ranjan Pradhan, paid tribute to Das.
Das had been posted to Gajapati two years back. During his tenure as ADM (revenue), Gajapati district won the Centre’s Bhoomi Samman Award for its contribution to the digital India land records modernisation programme. Das received the award from President Droupadi Murmu .
Before his transfer to Gajapati, Das served as project administrator of integrated tribal development agency, Phulbani, in Kandhamal. He has also authored Odia and English poetry books.