Odisha Pays Final Tribute to Tribal Icon George Tirkey with Guard of Honour at Assembly
In a solemn ceremony steeped in respect and remembrance, Odisha bid farewell to one of its most revered tribal leaders, George Tirkey, who passed away at the age of 67 in Bhubaneswar.
A four-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Tirkey was honoured with a Guard of Honour at the Odisha Legislative Assembly premises on Saturday.
Political leaders across party lines gathered to pay their respects, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers Pravati Parida and KV Singh Deo, and Speaker Surama Padhy.
Tirkey’s mortal remains were placed for public viewing, drawing tributes from colleagues and constituents alike.
Known for his unwavering commitment to tribal rights and grassroots activism, Tirkey’s political journey spanned decades and parties.
He was elected as an MLA in 1995 and 2000 with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), in 2009 as an Independent, and in 2014 with the Samata Kranti Dal—a party he helped shape.
His legacy continues through his son, Rohit Tirkey, currently serving as MLA from Biramitrapur under the BJD banner.
The ceremony underscored Tirkey’s enduring impact on Odisha’s political landscape and his lifelong dedication to indigenous communities.
