<p>Former Odisha Assembly speaker Sarat Kar died on Monday following a brief illness, family sources said.</p>.<p>He was 81.</p>.<p>Kar, who was also a distinguished writer, was ailing for the last few days and he died at a private hospital here, they said.</p>.<p>Born in 1939 in Cuttack district, Kar had joined politics in 1964 after completing his Masters in Political Science from Allahabad University.</p>.<p>He was elected to the Odisha Assembly thrice in 1971, 1990 and 2000 from the Mahanga seat.</p>.<p>A prolific writer and orator, the three-time legislator had become the minister for Education and Culture in Biswanath Das's cabinet at a young age in 1971. He was the speaker of Odisha Assembly from 2000 to 2004.</p>.<p>Kar was elected to the Lok Sabha on a Janata Party ticket in 1977 from Cuttack by defeating Congress stalwart and the then Union minister, J B Patnaik.</p>.<p>Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and a host of dignitaries mourned the demise of Kar.</p>.<p>"Hon'ble Governor condoled the sad demise of Sri Sarat Kumar Kar veteran leader, eminent writer & former Speaker of OLA and conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family. His contributions to the socio-political & cultural life of Odisha will be remembered forever," a post by the governor's official Twitter handle said.</p>.<p>Hailing Kar as a talented political leader and an able administrator, Patnaik said the departed leader had efficiently discharged his responsibilities as the Assembly speaker.</p>.<p>As a minister, Kar had demonstrated leadership and administrative experience, he said.</p>.<p>"Late Kar was popular among all as a prolific writer and orator. He had a vast knowledge of Odia culture. The state has lost a distinguished politician in his demise," the chief minister said in a message.</p>.<p>Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Odisha's politics and literature have suffered an irreparable loss in Kar's death.</p>.<p>Odisha Assembly Speaker S N Patro, leader of Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik, Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik also condoled Kar's death.</p>.<p>Kar has authored poetry books 'Druta Bilambita', 'Manthan', 'Romanthan' and 'Ananya', long fiction 'Samayara Jete Dheu', a spiritual book and written hundreds of articles in newspapers and magazines on literary, social, spiritual and political topics in Odia.</p>
<p>Former Odisha Assembly speaker Sarat Kar died on Monday following a brief illness, family sources said.</p>.<p>He was 81.</p>.<p>Kar, who was also a distinguished writer, was ailing for the last few days and he died at a private hospital here, they said.</p>.<p>Born in 1939 in Cuttack district, Kar had joined politics in 1964 after completing his Masters in Political Science from Allahabad University.</p>.<p>He was elected to the Odisha Assembly thrice in 1971, 1990 and 2000 from the Mahanga seat.</p>.<p>A prolific writer and orator, the three-time legislator had become the minister for Education and Culture in Biswanath Das's cabinet at a young age in 1971. He was the speaker of Odisha Assembly from 2000 to 2004.</p>.<p>Kar was elected to the Lok Sabha on a Janata Party ticket in 1977 from Cuttack by defeating Congress stalwart and the then Union minister, J B Patnaik.</p>.<p>Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and a host of dignitaries mourned the demise of Kar.</p>.<p>"Hon'ble Governor condoled the sad demise of Sri Sarat Kumar Kar veteran leader, eminent writer & former Speaker of OLA and conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family. His contributions to the socio-political & cultural life of Odisha will be remembered forever," a post by the governor's official Twitter handle said.</p>.<p>Hailing Kar as a talented political leader and an able administrator, Patnaik said the departed leader had efficiently discharged his responsibilities as the Assembly speaker.</p>.<p>As a minister, Kar had demonstrated leadership and administrative experience, he said.</p>.<p>"Late Kar was popular among all as a prolific writer and orator. He had a vast knowledge of Odia culture. The state has lost a distinguished politician in his demise," the chief minister said in a message.</p>.<p>Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Odisha's politics and literature have suffered an irreparable loss in Kar's death.</p>.<p>Odisha Assembly Speaker S N Patro, leader of Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik, Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik also condoled Kar's death.</p>.<p>Kar has authored poetry books 'Druta Bilambita', 'Manthan', 'Romanthan' and 'Ananya', long fiction 'Samayara Jete Dheu', a spiritual book and written hundreds of articles in newspapers and magazines on literary, social, spiritual and political topics in Odia.</p>