Veteran leader and noted medical doctor Raseswari Panigrahi passed away on February 16, 2026, at her household in Shanti Nagar, Sambalpur. She was 79. The end came after prolonged neurological complications. Quietly. At home.

For many, she was not just a politician. She was “doctor madam.” The one who listened. The one who didn’t rush patients out. Her death feels personal to thousands who never met her in politics but knew her from hospital corridors and crowded clinics.

A Life Devoted to Medicine and Service

Extended before elections and dialogs, her world was wards and operation theatres. She studied at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, then remained on to teach. Years passed. Generations of doctors trained under her. Some still call her strict. Others say she was just old-school.

She believed medicine was service, not business. Many patients paid nothing. Some paid later. Some never could. It didn’t matter much to her, people say. Western Odisha remembers those small acts. The free camps. The late-night emergencies she personally attended. She worked too much, maybe.

One of Western Odisha’s most educated and straightforward leaders, a respected doctor, and former MLA of Sambalpur, Dr. Raseswari Panigrahi, passed away at the age of 79.#RIP pic.twitter.com/4kRsqiHKJn

— Rudra N. Rout (@ur_rud_ra) February 16, 2026

Political Journey and Public Leadership

Politics came late. In 2014, she arrived the arena with the Biju Janata Dal and won the Sambalpur seat. People righthand her reputation more than campaign talents. She carried forward the legacy of her brother Sriballav Panigrahi, yet kept her own style — less drama, more ground work.

Her focus stayed predictable. Women’s health. Hospitals. Roads that actually get finished. She spoke softly but pushed files hard, insiders recall. Even after leaving office, she didn’t step away from public life. Her trust kept running programs. Small scale, but real impact.

State Leaders Mourn Her Passing

Communications of grief arrived quickly. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Opposition Leader Naveen Patnaik, and Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo all think of her as sincere and grounded. Not a usual word in politics.

But the louder reactions came from ordinary people. Former patients. Students. Hospital staff. Many shared simple stories — a waived fee, a reassuring hand, a strict lecture that later made sense. She wasn’t flashy. Just dependable. Rare these days.

Conclusion

With her passing, Sambalpur loses more than a former MLA. It loses a familiar presence. A doctor who stayed accessible. A leader who didn’t fully become a official. Her lifespan wasn’t perfect, but it was beneficial to many. And that counts.

Legacies like hers don’t fade fast. They stay in hospital buildings, in trained specialists, in families who recall who helped them when things observed bad.

FAQs

Q1. Who was Dr. Raseswari Panigrahi?
A senior doctor, educator, and former MLA from Sambalpur known for decades of public service.

Q2. What formed her death?
Serious neurological complications after long health struggles.

Q3. When did she join politics?
She entered election politics in 2014 and won the assembly election the same year.

Q4. What were her key contributions?
Refining women’s healthcare access, mentoring medical students, and backup regional development work.

Q5. How are people recalling her?
As a disciplined doctor, low-profile leader, and someone who quietly helped without seeking attention.