Padma Shri Nanda Kishore Prusty passes away,

Padma Shri awardee Nanda Kishore Prusty passed away on December 7, 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay condolences and remember his contribution to the field of education. PM Modi tweeted, "Pained by the demise of Nanda Prusty. The much-respected 'Nanda Sir' will be remembered for generations due to his efforts to spread the joys of education in Odisha. He drew the nation's attention and affection a few weeks ago at the Padma Awards ceremony."

Nanda Kishore Prusty was a 98-year-old school teacher, popularly known as Nanda Sir, who provided free education to many generations of children since independence. He was awarded the Padma Shri by President Ram Nath Koving in November 2021.