He was my classmate. Debendranath Jena studied upto High School with me and the other Pagela i.e. Sarat Ch. Rout. He opted for ITI Training at Cuttack in 1968 after matriculation and became an Electrician. Later had a job with the then OSEB and spent his life time operating from home and my village for his job as he used to be posted somewhere nearby. I remember him moving to his workplace on cycle everyday and returning back by evening. Had a fairly good life as he was very cool and never interfered in the affairs of others. The only set back he went through was when a son of his committed suicide for some domestic reasons a couple of years back.
Later on during a subsequent visit I found him hearty moving around on his scooty with his grand child. Recently he was found to have some heart problems for which he underwent a surgery in Aditya Care Hospital in Bhubaneswar and was put in the ICU where he struggled for nearly two weeks and passed away on 17th November night.
May his soul rest in peace and may Godess Kshetrapal bless his family to bear the loss. I lost a childhood friend who was always a cool personality and never bent before any adversity. May Swami bless me to cherish the memories of my ABHADA till I also follow him.
