Smt. Sulochana Mahapatra, wife of Late Mahadeb Mahapatra, the first Sarpanch of Bilasuni village Panchayat, was fondly remembered after her recent demise at the age of 92. Condolence meetings were held at her ancestral village Balikuda in Bilasuni and at the Jagannath Temple premises in Adaraj, Gujarat. Hundreds of family members, relatives, and well-wishers gathered to pay tribute and pray for the eternal peace of her soul.
Dignitaries and mourners reflected on her pious and exemplary life, marked by religious devotion, generosity, and compassion for the needy. Known for her soft-spoken and affectionate demeanor, Smt. Mahapatra dedicated her life to the worship of Lord Gopal Jiu, the presiding deity of Bilasuni. Despite limited formal education, she composed several devotional songs of remarkable quality. Her modern and practical outlook, combined with her adherence to the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” endeared her to people across social strata. She never allowed anyone to leave her home empty-handed, treating everyone, from beggars to affluent visitors, as family.
Smt. Mahapatra passed away on December 4, 2023, and her funeral was conducted at Swarga Dwara in Puri. Her youngest son, Badri Mahapatra, performed the last rites. She is survived by three sons—Dr. Gopal Mahapatra (IIM Professor), Advocate Damodar Sahu, and entrepreneur Badri Mahapatra—and three daughters—Jayashri, Sairendri, and Chinmayee. Her extended family includes grandchildren Babul, Papun, Bhakta, Asish, Silu, Chandan, Jitu, Kripita, and Raja.
Born on January 1, 1932, in Erabanga village, she was the daughter of Jagannath Sahu and Sundarmani Dibya. She married Mahadeb Mahapatra, son of the renowned Zamindar of Bilasuni, Narendra Mahapatra.
Memorial ceremonies, including an 11th-day ritual and a 14th-day Bhajan Samaroh, saw participation from prominent figures like former ministers Nirmala Wadhwani and Panchanan Kanungo, Niali MLA Chabi Mallick, and cultural icons. Renowned singers performed soul-soothing devotional songs, paying homage to her enduring legacy. Residents of Bilasuni mourn her loss as that of a beloved mother figure who touched countless lives with her kindness and spirituality.