Notwithstanding the exuberant, affable and amicable behaviour with a tint of sense of restlessness most of the times, inability to be in a particular place idly doing nothing and to constantly get vexed (on me) on almost everything as minuscule as a needle, nothing short of unadulterated, and sheer fatherly love, this is how I remember Subas Gantayat with his deep husky voice. His native roots in Odisha aided the accent, albeit destiny had chosen the city of Surat to be his settling place. His voice still reverberates as I write this article.
As for activism, he was the State Executive Member of BJP’s Odisha unit, MISA (Maintainance of Internal Security Act) detainee during Emergency, National Secretary, Loktantra Senani Sangh, Ex-State Secretary, ABVP, Odisha, and Chairman, Surat Odia Welfare Association. Professionally, he had an embellishing profile culminating in his retirement days as VP – Corporate Affairs in mammoth industrial houses like Reliance and Adani. He was, in fact, the face of Odisha in Gujarat.
Ever since his demise on the early morning of 20 June, mourning messages have poured in from across the country and from small and senior party members altogether, and other distinguished government officials. Renowned leaders like Dr Sambit Patra, National Spokesperson of BJP; Pratap Sarangi, Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries & MSME, Government of India; Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament; Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Steel; and Jual Oram, the immediate past Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, etc were deeply saddened by the demise of such a stalwart personality and had all passed on their condolences for the same.
I felt a big pang on my heart as I have not only lost a mentor, a father figure, and a dear friend but also a gem of a person who worked onerously and dedicatedly for his party and the people of Odisha. Here I reflect upon our memories and pay a tribute to this great personality.
A DEVASTATING LOSS TO HIS PARTY
Everyone is deeply saddened by the demise of the senior leader of the Odisha state unit of BJP. It surely is an irreparable loss to the party and the country as a whole. Many political members had a long-standing close and personal relationship with Gantayat. He was a generous, fair-witted and selfless person. Many political leaders had a close relationship with him from his time in ABVP. The wonderful memories spent with him will be remembered forever.
A PASSION FOR SAFEGUARDING
He was one of the founding members of the BJP party in Odisha. He continually strived with a dream and vision to make Odisha the No. 1 state in the country and also worked tirelessly to represent Odiya people in Gujarat. He has closely worked with senior party officials in the best interests of the BJP in Gujarat. He has also widely represented Odisha, its culture and people in Gujarat.
THE TRANQUILLITY IN A CRISIS WAS PARADOXICAL
I remember Gantayat as a gentle soul and a kind, caring man who took life and its challenges in his stride. He was a wise man who started his political career at a very young age and worked hard for its success in the hope that it would benefit his countrymen. Though he displayed restlessness in behaviour, the best quality about him was that he managed to be tranquil in times of crisis and had the ability to keep his head when others, including myself, would struggle to keep afloat.
INSPIRATIONAL SOCIAL WORKER
Gantayat was an inspirational social worker, who always had the well-being of others in his mind all the time whilst working. I had the amazing privilege of working under him whilst I was a student in the ABVP. He was like a father figure to me. I will always remember the quality that Gantayat had and his ability to see solutions and not problems. As recent as April 2021, the state unit of BJP had amassed and called to make the state No.1. The party felicitated three of its founding leaders in the state including Gantayat.
“Your time in the social sphere has left an impression on us all and you will be forever remembered. Thank you for being you and we miss you desperately “
Yuvraj Pokharna is an engineer turned-educationist and social activist from Surat who keeps a keen eye on contemporary issues including social media, politics and government policies.