Former MLA Devendra Sharma cremated | Bhubaneswar News
Kendrapada: Former Congress MLA Devendra Sharma, who played a pivotal role in promoting women’s football in the state, was cremated at his village on Saturday. Sharma (67) passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Friday evening.
The funeral pyre was lit by his daughter, Debasmita Sharma, following traditional rituals. Sharma is survived by his wife and daughter.
Thousands gathered along the road from Bhubaneswar to Aul and Rajkanika to pay their last respects as the flower-decked cortège carried his mortal remains. Businesses remained closed across Aul on Saturday as a mark of respect.
Born in Cuttack to former Aul MLA Dibakar Sharma and Kumari Kamala Devi, Sharma completed his law degree from Mayurbhanj Law College in 1982. He represented Aul constituency after defeating BJD candidate Pratap Keshari Deb in the 2014 assembly election.
As the president of the Aul Athletics Association and chief patron of women’s football, Sharma’s contributions to the sport were significant. “His dedication helped many girls from Aul reach the international level,” said Sasmita Mallick, an international footballer from the region.
Under his guidance, the Odisha women’s football team secured the national championship in 2011 and finished runners-up 10 times between 2005 and 2015. The team also claimed second place in the 2022 National Games.
Several politicians, including Kendrapada MLA Ganeswar Behera, former Union minister Srikant Jena, and Aul MLA Pratap Keshari Deb, expressed their condolences.
The funeral pyre was lit by his daughter, Debasmita Sharma, following traditional rituals. Sharma is survived by his wife and daughter.
Thousands gathered along the road from Bhubaneswar to Aul and Rajkanika to pay their last respects as the flower-decked cortège carried his mortal remains. Businesses remained closed across Aul on Saturday as a mark of respect.
Born in Cuttack to former Aul MLA Dibakar Sharma and Kumari Kamala Devi, Sharma completed his law degree from Mayurbhanj Law College in 1982. He represented Aul constituency after defeating BJD candidate Pratap Keshari Deb in the 2014 assembly election.
As the president of the Aul Athletics Association and chief patron of women’s football, Sharma’s contributions to the sport were significant. “His dedication helped many girls from Aul reach the international level,” said Sasmita Mallick, an international footballer from the region.
Under his guidance, the Odisha women’s football team secured the national championship in 2011 and finished runners-up 10 times between 2005 and 2015. The team also claimed second place in the 2022 National Games.
Several politicians, including Kendrapada MLA Ganeswar Behera, former Union minister Srikant Jena, and Aul MLA Pratap Keshari Deb, expressed their condolences.
